3 Simple Steps to Get your People to Step Up: Step 2: Involve your People

So now you are crystal clear on where you are headed and are feeling excited and raring to go. You’ve probably mapped out the key things that need to be done by who and by when. It’s now just a case of communicating and executing the plan, right?

Wrong! One of the biggest mistake leaders make is assuming that because they ‘get it’ that their people will too. Unfortunately bringing them to engagement sessions where you tell them the strategy and invite questions and answers, feels like a fait accompli. It is being done ‘to them’. People naturally resist.

Just remember the last time you attended something like that. In my old organisation we were regularly invited to roadshows, engagement events usually in large auditoriums with hundreds of people. Loads of presentations, carefully prepared slides, the great and the good doing their bit. Always a question and answer session, with only the brave putting up their hand. I am sad to say I daydreamed through most of them and usually left the event with a shrug of the shoulders and the nagging question… what does it all mean? Can you identify?

The antedote is to generate the same level of excitement and enthusiasm in your people as you have. The key is to help them see that it’s possible and truly involve them in how to get there.

This future you’ve envisaged for yourself and the organisation has to appeal to them too. So paint your picture of success in broad terms, talk to them about what life will be like in this new world that you envisage. Allow yourself to get excited. Let them see that shine in your eyes. Tell them your story, your “why”.

And then involve them in envisaging for themselves. What would a bright future look like for them? Get them to answer the questions you asked yourself. Let them fill in the blanks. Magic happens when people can see and feel what the future will be like. People step up because they want to, they want to be part of this success story. They want to step up when they can see how they have a part to play.

At this point I am often asked ‘I can’t involve them - the direction has already been set’, usually by higher ups in HQ in USA or wherever. Involve them anyway! Give them the broad strokes involve them in filling in the details. You need them to fill in the detail - let’s face it that is what stepping up is all about.  

If you can’t involve them in the “what” (the direction/strategy) involve them in the “how” to get there. They have more know-how of life on the ground, more skin in the game to improve their own working situation.

Bring them in early and reap the benefits. Avoid this step and things will slow way down or worse you may never get there at all.

Best,

Anne Dargan
Helping dynamic and caring leaders who want to make change happen

PS. Don’t be tempted to rush through this step. The reality is you are halfway through a marathon and your people have only just realized they have to start training!
PPS. Do NOT go ahead and print the mugs and the posters until your people have been involved in their creation!
PPPS. Do NOT pay lip service to this by creating focus groups. Really and truly involve the right people in the right things at the right time.

Watch out for Step 3: Give Them Responsibility - coming soon.