Resistance from stakeholders is a common challenge in creative problem solving. Whether you are trying to innovate, improve, or change something, you may face opposition, skepticism, or indifference from the people who have a stake in the outcome. How do you overcome this resistance and get their buy-in and support? Here are some tips to help you.
The first step to overcoming resistance is to understand where it is coming from. What are the stakeholders' needs, goals, fears, and expectations? How do they perceive the problem and the solution? How do they benefit or lose from the change? By empathizing with their perspective, you can identify the sources of resistance and address them effectively.
WENNOVATE instead of INNOVATE The main reason why innovation projects get stopped is according to a linkedin poll: ‘LACK OF MANAGEMENT BUY-IN. That’s why In my experience managing pressure and deadlines you can handle best by WENNOVATION instead of INNOVATION. Let me explain… Innovation is a long journey with high uncertainty. That’s why you should get all your internal - and external partners and the decision makers aligned as from the start, agreeing all on both your assignment and process. When you WENNOVATE in the way your project will be based on: - commitment, - trust, and - openness. These values help you collaborating better. and removing the tension if deadlines are due as it’s a joint responsibility.
The second step to overcoming resistance is to communicate clearly and frequently with the stakeholders. Explain the problem, the solution, and the benefits of the change in a way that is relevant and meaningful to them. Use stories, examples, and data to illustrate your points. Listen to their feedback, concerns, and questions, and respond respectfully and honestly. Keep them updated on the progress and the challenges, and acknowledge their contributions and achievements.
The third step to overcoming resistance is to involve the stakeholders in the creative problem solving process. Invite them to share their ideas, opinions, and insights, and incorporate them into the solution. Give them opportunities to participate in brainstorming, testing, and refining the solution. Make them feel valued and empowered as co-creators of the change. By involving them in the process, you can increase their ownership and commitment to the solution.
The fourth step to overcoming resistance is to address the stakeholders' concerns and objections. Anticipate the potential barriers and risks that may arise from the change, and prepare contingency plans and mitigation strategies. Demonstrate how the solution is feasible, desirable, and viable, and how it aligns with the stakeholders' interests and values. Provide evidence and testimonials to support your claims. Negotiate and compromise when necessary, and offer incentives and rewards for their cooperation.
NOBODY BUYS FROM A CLOWN. Be Innovative but act Conservative I have seen many innovative people present new business ideas in very original ways: playing a movie, doing a dance, and even by doing a flash mob. But it is wise to keep in mind that your executives are still as conservative as ever. Once you accept the risk-averse culture you can be effective. Your idea will be evaluated from at least 4 perspectives: 1. The Customer: Will they like it? 2. The Business model: Will it be profitable? 3. The Technology: Can it be produced? 4. The Risk: What if it's a failure? So draft a new business case: a clear, strategic, commercial, professional, and financial plan for your innovative initiative. It strengthens your persuasiveness.
The fifth step to overcoming resistance is to celebrate and sustain the change. Recognize and appreciate the stakeholders' efforts and achievements in implementing the solution. Share the results and the impact of the change, and highlight the positive outcomes and benefits for the stakeholders. Encourage and support them to adopt and adapt to the change, and provide feedback and coaching to help them improve. Celebrate and sustain the change, and inspire them to continue solving problems creatively.
Creative Problem Solving (CPS) = DESIGN THINKING CPS was popular in the last 20th century. Nowadays most tools would be classified as DESIGN THINKING. Design thinking became popular since it was sparked at IDEO and promoted by Stanford at the start of this century. Design Thinking goes a step beyond CPS as it does not end with ideas but delivers concrete designs. It is a user-centric approach, encourage collaboration, and create innovative solutions to problems. Here are 5 of the most relevant DT TOOLS: 1. Empathy Mapping. 2. Brainstorming: 3. PRETOTYPING. 4. User Testing. 5. Journey Mapping. In the proven best-practice FORTH innovation methodology we merge design thinking with business reality producing amazing innovation results