Be Strategic, Not Stubborn
Does other people’s resistance to new ideas or important process changes frustrate you? Don’t dig your heels in and debate. Instead of resisting their resistance, consider their “NO,” whether stated or demonstrated through their behavior, as a call for conversation – an opportunity to more fully understand all aspects of their perspective.
Ask questions such as:
- What are your thoughts about [name the idea]?
- In what ways could [name the change] work for us?
- What concerns you about [name the idea]?
- What opportunities and challenges do you imagine [name the idea or change] might create?
When you face resistance, be strategic, not stubborn. The more you know about others’ attractions and objections to new ideas and planned changes, the better able you’ll be to find win-win solutions.
