New Year! New Ideas! Communicate Your Vision!

Where’s the Excitement?

It’s the new year and a time when many of us like to start new programs or implement new technology and new ideas. We are excited about these opportunities and we know exactly why! But have you ever introduced a new program, app or opportunity to employees and co-workers only to be met with resistance and lack-luster enthusiasm? How frustrating!  Why can’t they just see the same vision you see and “get on board?”

Perhaps you have overlooked a key factor for success in leadership called “the Law of Buy-in.” (See John Maxwell’s 21 Laws of Leadership!) People buy into the leader, then the vision.  Has your team “bought in to you?” Every message is understood by people based on their view of the messenger (you). It is also based on the vision that has been communicated by that leader. Have they “bought into your vision?”  Do they understand the vision? Has it been communicated clearly?  To truly be successful in leading the participants need to buy into the “leader” and the vision.

If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve decided to “roll out” a grand new idea or program and the enthusiasm from your team is lacking, you’ll know it!  Those frequent phone calls, emails and texts prompting them to get on board is a great indicator that you have not gotten the “buy in” you need.  Don’t be discourage, there is a simple solution, take a few steps back.  Communicate your vision for this new idea or venture and ASK for their support! If you truly work with a good group of people, it’s never to late to show a little humility and ask for their support.  This will go much further than “ordering compliance” and you will experience the success that you planned for.

Go after that “buy in first” and most likely all your “new” ideas and programs for 2019 meet with great success and support!