What is Getting Team Buy-In?

When working with leadership teams to define, refine, and explain core values, we also acknowledge the importance of them moving from aspirations on the wall to behavior within the halls to see the impact. The same can be said for any plan, strategy, intention, product, service, or structure. To be successful, your team must be unified in purpose, committed to execution, and have a clear understanding of their role. In other words, you’re looking to earn their buy-in. Not their agreement, necessarily, but their willingness to commit to the effort in both word and act.

Tip #1: Get Team Buy-In by First Understanding Your Audience

Communication is a circle, not a line. It’s a process that begins by seeking first to understand before being understood. As you prepare to communicate to get buy-in on any topic, what do you already know about your audience? What makes them tick and ticks them off? Will they resist your message? Might they be suspicious, cynical, and resentful of these changes? Or will your message be met with enthusiasm and joy, and given the reception, you give momentum to execution? The choice is up to you and depends on how well you’ve prepared by learning all you can about them to understand who they are.

Tip #2: Lead By Example to Create a Cohesive Team

Not surprisingly, if you deliver in a flat, joyless manner that is hesitant, manipulative, or uninformed, your team may follow your example in their response. Now, think of a time you heard about something ‘new’ where you felt inspired, excited, and raved about putting that idea into practice. What was the difference? Likely the leader you heard from was leading by example, being well-informed, enthusiastic, and crystal clear about what was coming. After they left the stage, whether an actual stage or a metaphoric one, they demonstrated commitment by changing their behavior to match the call to action they delivered to the group. They shared their struggles along the way and recommitted to following through on the goal.

Tip #3: Win-win

So many leaders routinely deliver messages in ‘transmit mode without switching to ‘receive mode. Remember that telling is not selling. You cannot earn buy-in if you’ve taken the time to do homework, lead by example, and listen to their needs. Listen to what they say about your new idea, evaluate their feedback, and see if there is a win-win solution that delivers the organization’s goal.

Team Buy-In Conclusion

The principles of change management by getting buy-in from the team are straightforward, though sometimes not easy. It requires that leaders get out front, understand, listen to, and flex with their organization. If you’d like to meet Ken and see if you click, schedule a no-obligation meet-and-greet. Ready for a more robust conversation where we discuss what’s on your plate, put pen to paper, and sketch out some strategy work? Then the complimentary Breakthrough Strategy Session will give you tangible takeaways, including a Talent Dynamics Profile report. However you would like to begin, let’s tackle your to-do list together.