TAKING LEADERSHIP FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYEE BUY-IN

After attending a webinar last week on the insurance industry, it became further apparent that a tremendous number of industries are facing the same challenges when it comes to managing change.

Whether leadership announces a new strategic vision, there has been downsizing or a restructure within the organization, new leaders join the team, your company just became a part of an acquisition, or the market has shifted, in each of these scenarios leaders are asking themselves "How do we get our employees to buy into the new vision for our company?".

While that is the question they ask themselves, it is often not the conversation they are actually having with their employees. The idea that "This is what we are doing" and "Here is what we need you to do" can be met with resistance.

This then leaves leaders asking themselves the question "Why do they resist change?" and "What do we need to do for them to embrace change?".

Start Asking Questions

As I speak about adopting The Hero Mindset, it's about focusing on small things that make a big difference to become a hero in your own story.

One of my heroes is Dr. Joe Dispenza, and one of the biggest mindset shifts I learned from him is that "Statements close the mind. Questions open the mind."

"Statement's close the mind. Questions open the mind." - Dr. Joe Dispenza

Below is a visual model created by Dr. Thurman Fleet who was searching for a way to help us differentiate between the conscious, subconscious, and our body. Despite the simplicity, it has depth, but for today's purpose please bare with me on drawing stick figures.

If we take the philosophy that "statements close the mind and questions open the mind", when we give somebody direction to change who's subconscious mind truly rather enjoys comfort, they become resistant to new information.

Unless they consciously choose to accept new thoughts, their subconscious mind will always overrule the new idea to change because changing the subconscious mind is often very hard.

If we shift our approach to asking questions, this opens up the mind to new possibilities.

Our job then, as leaders (or myself, as a coach), is to make sure we are asking the right questions to help guide out people to the solution we know we want them to adopt.

The key is that if we do this successfully, when someone comes up with the solution on their own vs us giving or telling them the answer they are significantly more likely to adopt that new idea and take action.

Putting This Into Practice

Now, I'm not suggesting that as a leader you have time for 1:1 meetings with every employee to guide them to an answer about why they should by into the company's new direction.

What I am suggesting, however, is to consider how can you take this approach with your directors, managers, and those frontline or field employees who you do occasionally have site visits with.

Consider asking questions open the conversation such as:

• What about navigating this change is hard for you?
• Why does that frustrate you?
• What fear(s) do you have around the change we are experiencing?

Then stay curious, and lean into what matters to them:

• Can you share with me your vision within the company?
• Where would you like to be in the next 1-3 years?
• Do you see growth opportunities working here?

Next, reconnect connect this with the company's vision:

• Do you remember why we shared we are doing this?
• Can you see how if we achieve this business goal together, that we can help you get what you want as well?
• When you reflect upon the vision you have, what are 2-3 new opportunities that you can see arising from your contribution towards this outcome?

Finally, lean into next steps:

• What must we let go of?
• What must change?
• What are your/our next steps?

As a leader, it may seem frustrating that you have to take this approach when it makes sense to you that everyone moves forward in the new direction. However, the company's vision and why change is happening and how the change will benefit everyone must constantly be reiterated.

Being a hero in your own story starts with how you think, and then taking that mindset shift forward to help others in their journey.

When you do that, you not only become a hero to yourself, to others, but that then trickles down to help your community and the customers that you serve.

Asking questions vs statements is another simple mindset shift to help you become a hero in your own story.

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My passion is helping people shift their mindset through my keynotes, workshops, and coaching to drive results and embrace change.

If you are looking for a speaker?to help your team and employees shift their mindset towards the change they are experiencing or need some help personally,?please visit?https://kevinrempel.com ?or send me a direct message to learn more.