Be Like Oprah

This week's quick tip focuses on resistance. The pushback we get when we introduce new ideas or challenge the status quo in any way is a common theme for the intrapreneurs we work with. One very effective approach in the face of this resistance is to be like Oprah.

No, we don't mean giveaway cars. What we mean is, how can we exhibit that Oprah-like curiosity in the face of resistance or pushback to an idea we're introducing? It can be a new initiative we're proposing, or even a suggestion to our teams to adopt a new practice when we often get that resistance and pushback.

What if, instead of getting defensive, making our case more loudly or getting frustrated and giving up... what if instead we leaned in with fascination and curiosity?

What if we expressed empathy for the other's perspective? What if we asked some good questions about what's really going on underneath or behind that resistance and that push back? Perhaps there's a very valid point that speaks directly to one of our blind spots and is something we need to hear.

Perhaps there's just a little bit of fear or anxiety that, if we could uncover it, we could speak to it, we could overcome it. So this week's tip is be more like Oprah – get fascinated, get curious – what else can you learn in those situations, instead of getting frustrated?

Nancy Murphy is Founder and President of CSR Communications, which specializes in helping socially-conscious organizations achieve their next big initiative & rapidly expand their impact. Nancy is creator of Intrapreneurs Influence Lab and brings over 30 years experience to the work she does as a trainer, speaker, and advisor to local and federal government agencies, non-profits, philanthropies and businesses. Learn more at?csrcommunications.com.