Today's quick thought is about buy-in.
I've been thinking about buy-in today as I reflect on a training session that I facilitated yesterday. We talk alot about communication when we do training centered around the DISC, and one of the exercises that we do is called 'Checklists for Communicating.' The title is taken from a very helpful and informative section of our DISC report. On one page (Ways to Communicate), the report lists a number of phrases that describe how the individual likes to communicate - something like 'when discussing an idea, be prepared with all the facts and figures' or 'take time for friendly conversation, don't jump straight to business.' The next page (Ways not to Communicate) contains another set of phrases that describe ways the person DOES NOT like to communicate.
Here's how the exercise works. First the person picks 3-4 phrases from their 'ways to communicate' list that they strongly agree with, or that are most relevant/have the greatest impact for them, from the and they tell the rest of the staff. Then, they pick 3-4 phrases they agree with from the ways 'not to communicate' list, and they tell the rest of the staff. Generally, I encourage them to give examples that are relevant from their work or life experience to paint a picture for everyone.
And that's it. It is a very simple exercise, but it is incredibly important, because it gives everyone buy-in. Because they have the ability to share their preference with the whole staff and to hear others' perspectives, there is a greater acceptance of the ideas you are sharing. They've bought into the process, and in turn there is now solid accountability as the information has been shared among the staff.
This can be a difficult exercise for some because it asks for a certain amount of openness and vulnerability. But it is so incredibly effective that it is worth pushing through the difficulty.
If you're having cultural issues, or seem to be miscommunicating throughout your organization, this type of exercise could help your staff.
And that's your Tuesday Quick Thought. Connect with us for more!