Do you understand how to leverage the anatomy of No to move projects forward? Are you making things happen, together, or not?
Typically you and I encounter that word as a stall tactic. For starters, when decisions need to be made, naysayers seem to crawl out of the virtual workplace woodwork. They voice their opinions at the most critical times to project momentum, don’t they?
Next, the outcome of their opinions results in verdicts like: “let’s wait and see,” or “let’s table that decision until next month.” Or even, “a more pressing issue has emerged since our last meeting.” If you are lucky, they tell you the real issue behind their No: “Why didn’t you consult with me in the first place?” Ouch. Only then, and not before, do you get the real picture.
Once you understand why you do not “see” these stallers and naysayers in the first place, you start moving forward. Otherwise, you give them the power to stall, delay, derail, and sabotage projects – while your clients patiently wait on you to develop and implement results. Can you afford to continue to jeopardize customer experience and customer retention due to how you currently deal with “No”?
In Chapter 2 of my book, Do YOU Mean Business? we take a deep dive into the root causes of how the word “NO” is wielded by decision makers. Even when these decision makers are your internal colleagues. Follow the link in the title and order your copy today.
Alternatively, leveraging the anatomy of No to move projects forward catalyzes you to become more proactive in establishing project context.
Personally and professionally, I have never been a big fan of workarounds to avoid naysayers. Rather, I make it a point to anticipate the departments and individuals who have a reputation for saying “No.” Often, these folks have very solid reasons for pushing back on your project’s forward momentum. And yes, sometimes, there is a toxic relationship or two involved. As long as you dance around this issue, you reinforce their right – and power – to wield that mighty word “No.” On the other hand, reaching out to explore their Why behind their No can be revelatory and collaborative: to you both. Determine the criteria required to create a win-win “Yes, let’s move forward” partnership.
Otherwise, both of your actions, mindset, and even professional biases, serve to perpetuate legacy, sometimes adversarial, relationships. What is the ROI in that behavior? Pick up your copy of Do YOU Mean Business? today. Overcome the root causes of NO moving forward. Get to where you need to go, together. One millimeter at a time.
Then take these next steps.
Planning your next team, corporate or association meeting? Searching for a one-on-one catalyst to get you unstuck? Engage me to present a One Millimeter Mindset ™ program! Delivered virtually or in-person. Contact me here.
Babette Ten Haken | Change Catalyst | Purpose-Driven Professional Innovation | Cross-Functional Team Leadership | Trust-Based Client Retention | In Person & Virtual Speaker, Consultant, Coach, Author |
Babette Ten Haken is a refreshingly extroverted STEM professional and skeptical thinker focused on intentional innovation. Her virtual and in-person keynotes, workshops, and masterminds catalyze individuals, teams and organizations to make hard calls when designing and transforming products, services, careers and cultures. These are not easy conversations to have. Her ability to translate cross-functional conversations between left-brain and right-brain thinkers provides different pathways for behavior, response, insight and collaboration. Think of the strategic business and human capital value of moving beyond avoidance or group-think, together. Instead, let your creativity, critical thinking, and leadership skills co-develop together, one millimeter at a time. Her playbook of cross-functional collaboration, Do YOU Mean Business? is available on Amazon.com. Contact Babette here.
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