Header Image
Breadcrumbs
Site Tag
Content Wrapper
Page Title
Feb 9 - Cheer Up, Resistance Isn't All Bad
Cheer Up, Resistance Isn't All Bad
February 9, 2006
"People resist us for good reasons. If they don't understand our idea, it makes sense that they won't get behind it. Why should they? And if our idea threatens them, there is absolutely no reason why they should support us. And if they believe we represent all that is bad and wrong in the organization, they would be foolish to jump on our bandwagon. Although it may feel like it at times, there are no born resisters - people just lying in wait to mess up our plans. People resist due to lack of understanding, negative reaction to the idea, or lack of trust between us.
So why is this good news? If we can figure out the real reasons why people oppose us or our ideas, we have a far greater chance of turning that resistance into support. I can't influence what I don't see.
Staying in synch with others is the most reliable way to build support for our ideas in ways that diminish the chances that resistance will take over. We need to continually remind ourselves to ask three essential questions:
1. Do they understand?
2. Are they reacting positively or negatively to my idea?
3. Is there sufficient trust between us for them to support me (Maurer, 2002, p.46)?"
Reference: Maurer, R. (2002). Why don't you want what I want?: how to win support for your ideas without hard sell, manipulation, or power plays. Austin, TX: Bard Press
Why Don't You Want What I Want? is available on loan from the Ohio State University Leadership Center. To borrow this resource or any other resource, please go to the resource search page http://164.107.48.88/winnebago/index.asp?lib=???
Learn how the Ohio State University Leadership Center is strengthening tomorrow's leaders today at http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu
To unsubscribe from the Leadership Moments list -- send e-mail to: leadership-moments-off@ag.osu.edu (no message or subject is necessary)
Created: 2008-04-01, Updated: 2009-04-10
