How to Leverage "Pushback" to Get Your Strategy Back on Track
Susan Schramm
I help CEOs and boards fast-track strategies when the stakes are high | Go to Market Strategist |Board Member| Speaker|Author
Last week, I hosted a Strategy Reboot Workshop that brought together leaders from around the globe. These leaders came with one shared purpose: to successfully launch a new initiative or get one back on track.
Drawing on content from my upcoming book, “Fast Track Your Big Idea! Navigate Risk, Move People to Action, and Avoid Your Strategy Going Off Course” we explored the most common reasons strategies get derailed, discussed actionable solutions, and made sure each participant defined the first steps of their ” Reboot Action Plan” to get off to a stronger start next year.
One particularly engaging question emerged during our conversations:
What if a critical leader pushes back? Or is defiantly in disagreement?
If you’ve ever led a high-stakes initiative, you’ve likely encountered resistance from someone influential. "Debbie Downer" or "Dan Disruptive" constantly questions the new direction long after the rest of the group is ready to move forward. The pushback can be frustrating and may even feel like sabotage.
This is a pivotal moment.
If one of the critical leaders or organizations you need to take action is not aligned to execute—your strategy is at risk. At this point, it may seem like the obvious answer is “Show him/her the door!”
But after being part of hundreds of launches of products and processes, partnerships and companies, I've learned that resistance is often an untapped resource.
When approached correctly, skeptics can become your strategy’s strongest champions.
Here are three ways to turn their opposition into an opportunity:
1. Seek to Understand Their Concerns
Resistance most often stems from legitimate concerns about risks, feasibility, or alignment. Instead of viewing criticism as an obstacle, consider it a chance to gather valuable feedback. You may have made incorrect assumptions, have blind spots about weaknesses in your plan, or underestimated the feasibility of executing.
Instead of dismissing negative feedback, take time to understand their perspective.
? What to Do: Schedule a private, open-ended conversation to hear their thoughts. Ask questions like, “What risks do you see?” or “What assumptions are you making that lead you to see that outcome as likely?” and “What would make this plan more realistic for you?” Listening with curiosity can uncover blind spots in your strategy.
? Why It Works: Organizations that embrace dissent reduce the risk of groupthink and make better decisions. Charlan Nemeth, in "In Defense of Troublemakers," argues that dissenting voices stimulate creativity and improve outcomes. I’ve personally found that simply giving a naysayer the respect of listening to their concerns instead of dismissing them can help them calm down and think about possibilities.
2. Engage Them as Problem-Solvers
Instead of sidelining skeptics, bring them into the fold. People resist less when they feel ownership over solutions.
? What to Do: Assign them a role in solving the issues they’ve raised. For example, ask them to lead a pilot project or test their proposed improvements.
? Why It Works: Participative leadership, where team members are engaged in problem-solving, leads to higher commitment and creativity. I’ve seen repeatedly that when people have the opportunity to put their fingerprints on a solution, it magically is perceived as better!
3. Show Them the Big Picture
Skepticism often arises when leaders or team members don’t understand how their work fits into the larger vision. People want to feel that their contributions matter and align with a greater purpose. By illustrating the strategy’s broader goals and their critical role in achieving them, you can transform doubt into enthusiasm.
? What to Do: Paint a clearer vision of the specific outcomes you strive to deliver. Explain the role these people will play and the impact they can have. Share anecdotes and data about how achieving a more significant purpose was only possible when engaged leaders stepped up despite the odds and improved the solution.
? Why It Works: Research from the NeuroLeadership Institute shows that linking tasks to a clear purpose activates the brain’s reward system, increasing motivation and engagement. Daniel Pink’s book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us emphasizes that people are driven by autonomy, mastery, and purpose. By aligning their role with these elements, you help skeptics feel more invested in the outcome. When you bring people into the bigger picture, you turn doubt into clarity and resistance into advocacy.
Turning Resistance Into Momentum
The success of your strategy isn’t all about your perfect plan – it’s about rallying the right people. Even great strategies fail when people are confused, skeptical, or not aligned. You can transform opposition into momentum by listening to concerns, inviting skeptics to problem-solve, and connecting their efforts to a compelling vision.
Pushback isn’t something to fear! It’s a chance to refine and strengthen your strategy. The next time you encounter resistance, lean in. You can turn “Debbie Downer” and “Dan Disruptive” into “Dedicated Danielle” and “Decisive Derek” – and actually have fun doing it!
Ever run into pushback that threatened to derail a big initiative?
I’d welcome your thoughts and lessons learned.
-Susan
This article is part of "Driving a New Direction", providing practical ideas whether you are driving a new strategy (or getting one back on track). I want to help you avoid common mistakes. Subscribe here to receive practical insights once or twice a month.
To learn more about my upcoming book or to join the next "Strategy Reboot Workshop" ( in January!), check out my website at www.gotomarketimpact.com. Your mission is too important. Don't let it get derailed.
#strategy #riskmanagement #leadership
This article was originally published at www.gotomarketimpact.blog
Senior Executive | COO/CIO/CRO - Full Time, Fractional & Interim | Strategic Consultancies | Crucial Initiatives | PE/VC-Backed Start-Ups | High Growth
1 周Couldn't agree more, though I'm certain that doesn't surprise you. I'm reminded that people who are willing to argue with you are a gift. Most people don't care enough to argue. Only those who really care about the outcome are willing to make waves. You fail to hear them out at your own peril.
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1 周Susan Schramm Resistance can indeed uncover blind spots and strengthen strategies when handled the right way.
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1 周I love the wisdom here!
We help eco-conscious homeowners create spaces where heart, health and home come together.
1 周Susan, thank you for sharing these valuable insights and strategies! I love the approach of onboarding our naysayers by inviting them to the table. Resistance is likely fuelled by fear. Hearing them out, inviting feedback and their participation sound like the ticket to ride our ideas into action! ?? It reminds me of how children use this strategy to get what they want - and how effective it is!
I help creative experts and entrepreneurs design effective and engaging online courses using my research-based Course Design Formula?.
1 周I love this perspective, Susan Schramm! Often others express our OWN unconscious objections and doubts... bringing these all together can help a project work much better in real terms. Brilliant!