As leaders, employee buy-in is always top-of-mind. Sometimes inspiring our employees includes urging them to “get in touch” with something. For example, they may need to get in touch with: the impact another employee is having on them, their professional purpose, or having ownership over goals. Take note of the phrasing “get in touch”…
That phrase may sound a little too new age for a corporation – like we need to burn some incense and do some chanting – but there is sound reasoning behind this concept. You see, we experience the world through our senses: touch, sound, smell, taste and sight. Asking questions about senses helps your employees experience things from a sensory perspective.
Consider this: If we can connect our senses to our challenges, opportunities and goals…we are more likely to see through the superficial. We can anchor our solutions deeper and with a greater probability of success. Stay with me now! I promise this isn’t touchy-feely babble. It isn’t about the softer side of leadership like interpersonal relationships; it applies to our most important business goals.
Take a situation where John is trying to launch a new offering for the company. His team doesn’t seem fully engaged. Through the course of your discussions, John has laid out his plans fairly clearly. He has indicated that he will spend more time communicating the plan with the team and making sure everyone has the resources they need.
In your gut, though, you aren’t sure that John has truly internalized the path he has laid out. It isn’t that he isn’t committed; he just doesn’t seem to have all the fire he will need to accomplish his goals. By helping John to get “in touch” with how he sees this opportunity, what it will feel like when it is done, what it sounds like to him…he will be clearer, more likely to take action, and have a greater passion for what he is working on.
Next week I’m going to lay out a series of questions you can use to help your employees get in touch with specific situations that pertain to the betterment of your bottom line. These leadership qualities will help you create and maintain employee buy-in!
Until next time,
Doug