YOU CAN LEARN TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE
Photo by Ugur Arpaci on Unsplash
Isaac Newton discovered the formula for determining the amount of force it took to move an object: force = mass x acceleration. It’s also an apt analogy for business initiatives. We might modify it like this: impact = mass x momentum.
The above analogy is why the impact of any statement you make equals the size of the idea times the speed of successfully transferring it from your mind to the mind of another, creating alignment.
(credit: Roy Williams, Wizard Academy)
Newton’s third law of motion paraphrased: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This is why new thoughts always encounter resistance -- the bane of executive leadership.
Momentum is the strength or force that allows something to continue to grow stronger or faster as time passes, i.e., the ability to overcome resistance.
EVERY BREAKDOWN IS A FUNCTION OF A CONVERSATION NOT HAD.
Let’s take the first four statements together. Every business seeks momentum, which we can define as mass x velocity. In product sales, this is how fast (velocity) you can move your product (mass) out to consumers. As an individual or a leader, the speed with which you can move your ideas forward depends on your ability to overcome resistance.
THE BIGGEST MISTAKE IS RESISTING THE RESISTANCE.
It’s natural to resist something that thwarts your intentions, but actually, you just have two opposing forces. (If you want to see how well that works, look at our current political stage.) On the other hand, if you embrace the resistance and seek to understand it, you are far better equipped to move through it. You can then consider the source of the resistance. Is it concern, fear, ignorance, previous experience? Our ability to hear that and appreciate someone else’s reality smooths the way to overcoming the resistance and simultaneously expands our understanding. Ask yourself this:
DO YOU WANT ALIGNMENT BEHIND AN ALREADY-FIRM AND FIXED INITIATIVE, OR ARE YOU OPEN TO INPUT AND POSSIBLE CHANGE TO YOUR DECIDED DIRECTION?
Is your message, “We will go to the new sales initiative by the end of the month,” or “We are considering bringing all parties back to in-office work and would like your input first.”
Your genuine willingness to hear what others have to say facilitates their willingness to follow along, even if it’s not their preference. It’s your most potent tool for gaining authentic alignment.
ALIGNMENT ALLOWS FOR VELOCITY.
Executive leadership presents new initiatives and must gain alignment; managers and supervisors beneath them are charged with mustering alignment with the frontline people. Clarity here is key.
The clearer and more succinctly a leader communicates what they want their people to accomplish, the more likely they will get what they want. Wise leaders know they get what their people heard, regardless of what the leader intended.
The old EST training spoke of the two major sources of upsets as…
Undelivered communications (or unclear communications)
Unfulfilled expectations
As a leader at any level, if you can fully communicate what you want and set clear expectations for the outcome, you can put things into accelerated momentum.
BE STRAIGHT, BE CLEAR AND LISTEN!
Have a great week and for heaven’s sake, take a few moments to reflect and love yourself.
Cheers,
Fundamental of the Week #15:
BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR SETTING AND RECEIVING CLEAR EXPECTATIONS
Make sure your expectations are clear and what people hear is what you are asking. Be clear about what’s expected of you.
Momentum Consulting offers executive business coaching, top-level executive consulting, team trainings and team offsites to build and transform your business to the next level. Inquire about business consulting and leadership coaching today.
