What To Do When People Don’t Get Your Vision
We’ve all been there…you have a vision for the future and are excited to present it to others only to be met with a blank stare. You pour out your excitement for the ideas you have and others don’t get it. What’s a leader to do?
The typical response is to either get mad and turn excitement into debating which only turns out worse…or to shut down and question wether you want to keep moving forward with these people. When that happens, you either think you have the wrong team or that you need to leave and go somewhere else where
What if I told you that every leader faces this challenge…even with the right team and being in the right place? What if I told you this experience is more common than you think and it’s not a sign that everything is wrong?
Well…it is. I have coached hundreds of visionary leaders that are all in the same boat. Even the most successful people we look up to face this “not getting the vision” challenge. Don’t beat yourself up too much, rather learn how to navigate through it because if it hasn’t happened yet…it will soon enough.
This is the challenge visionary leaders
1. Chill The Heck Out
Because you may know what needs to be done does not give you the right to get upset at everyone else who doesn’t see it…yet. Your influence will diminish the moment you start to get frustrated with others. Remember, you are there to lead others, not walk over them. So, watch your attitude and make sure you are not letting your impatience get the best of your demeanor. Keep calm and pioneer on my friend. No one convinces others by getting mad and arguing with them. No one in the history of the world has been argued into a different belief. We are inspired into beliefs not insisted
2. Understand The Roadblocks
Many people only see the roadblocks up ahead, they do not see the possibilities. You must address people’s concerns even if they don’t get it. Because you can see past the difficulties does not mean everyone else can. Make sure you seek first to understand before you want to be understood. When you get into other people’s shoes you realize their legitimate concerns and can help them through it accordingly. Don’t spend all your time explaining away all the roadblocks, but make sure you acknowledge them. Keep moving the vision forward by capitalizing on what you’re gaining, not what you’re losing. Don’t be tempted to soften the challenges, but rather own them and move forward.
3. Keep It Steady
The leader is not always the first to cross the finish line, sometimes they have to make sure everyone else is moving along with them. Rather than ramming full-steam ahead, take it steady as it goes. Give people time to digest and process your proposals and vision. Keep optimistic and committed to the outcome, without wavering. Remember the Tortoise and the Hare? Slow and steady wins the race. It’s better to have everyone with you than to leave your people in the dust. If it’s a worthy vision it will require everyone working together, you can’t do that if no one is with you. Be patiently persistent with people. Meaning, move just a few steps ahead of the pace of the team, not so far in front of the Cavalry that you’re mistaken as the enemy.
