How Get Buy Your. Getting buy-in from colleagues and superiors is essential for the success of any new initiative.
ve. A well-executed rollout can help you build support, overcome resistance, and achieve your goals more effectively. Unfortunately, many leaders make mistakes when it comes to getting buy-in, which can sabotage their efforts.
I recently met with a client who has extensive experience in rolling out new initiatives. He demonstrated a high level of savvy in securing commitment from senior leadership, which prompted me to identify common mistakes leaders make in this process.
Here are some of the most frequent mistakes I’ve seen leaders make when introducing new initiatives.
1. Assuming the formal presentation is the decision point
A new initiative often comes with a formal presentation to the client group or internal team about the new process/procedure. However, inexperienced leaders often assume that this is where they get buy-in for the project and motivate people to take action.
Most individuals resist change unless they understand how it will benefit them. The larger and more successful the organization, the more challenging this is. Effective leaders recognize that the decision to support something new begins as soon as people are aware it’s coming.
They start having one-on-one conversations with individuals well in advance of major meetings to understand their concerns. Formal presentations are more effective when key players have been engaged long before they’re in the room, making supporting the new initiative a foregone conclusion.
2. Not addressing concerns proactively
Thinking on your feet during the formal presentation is a valuable skill, but it won’t help if you haven’t done your homework. Effective leaders anticipate that any client or internal group will have concerns about a new initiative and seek to uncover these concerns early.
They spend time during the formal presentation discussing what obstacles they’ve already identified and what they’ll do to address these. Smart leaders don’t try to hide obstacles but rather openly dialogue about them and come prepared with a plan.
3. Spending too much time in the weeds
People are generally not interested in the fine details of a new procedure. They care more about how they will benefit from the expected outcomes or how they may suffer if things go south.
Effective leaders focus on communicating the benefits of a new initiative. While it’s essential to answer questions, they save detailed logistics for after they have secured commitment on the most critical aspects.
4. Ignoring the people who will help you most
You can learn a lot by talking with people who interact most with employees or customers. In many organizations, administrative and executive assistants possess valuable knowledge and can help you understand where you’re missing the mark.
Get to know them, earn their trust, and support their success. When you need help, they can be some of your best allies if your new initiative aligns with the organization’s interests.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a more effective rollout strategy, increase buy-in, and ultimately achieve your goals. For more insights on successful rollout strategies, visit the article on effective rollout techniques.
