Cathy's blog

You've been working hard. Doing the research, preparing the presentation.

You're ready. Foolproof. Nothing can go wrong.

 

Or can it?

 

I remember a time when I thought *nothing* could go wrong. It was the perfect proposal.

I'd just started in my new job, helping the management community of a huge multinational develop their leadership skills. 

And then the economy was hit hard. As were our budgets.

 

I wasn't just afraid for my job, but I was also genuinely concerned for my internal clients. When things get tough, it's even more important than ever to hone in on your leadership skills. And to get the support you need to do that.

 

So I spent some days (and nights) thinking. 

And I came up with *the* idea: create some train-the-trainer materials for our HR colleagues across Europe. A low-cost, practical & fun solution that would allow us to help every leader in the organization.

 

And then I presented it to my management...

 

And it got rejected. What happened?

1. Feelings: I made a proposal based on my world view. But my managers had a more formal, academic idea of leadership - so they didn't feel seen & heard by me. 

2. Feelings: I'd made the proposal in isolation. I thought this was such a great idea, that I didn't check in with my colleagues who'd be involved in the project. So my management was afraid I wouldn't get their buy-in.

3. Feelings: it wasn't their idea. Here I was, brand new in the role, telling my management what to do. They felt judged, critiqued, attacked. 

 

It's so easy to forget that people don't decide with their rational brain (alone).

The first decision parameters people (subconsciously) use are always emotional.

 

Am I seen? Am I understood? 

Am I being judged?

What's in it for me?

Is this going to make me look good or bad?

 

After the rejection, I went back to the drawing board. 

And I started having lots and lots of conversations. 

Asking people questions, finding out what they thought? What was missing? 

How did they FEEL about the idea?

 

And I twisted and tweaked the idea. Until I had a supported, workable solution.

And more than that - a solution that was OURS, not just mine.

And it got accepted, implemented, and was a success.

 

Now you're right, sometimes people just have a big ego - and therefore quickly feel that you're not taking them seriously enough. 

At least not as serious as they're taking themselves.

 

But what do you want to achieve?

 

Do you want your proposal to be at least considered with an open mind?

Or do you just want to be *right*?

 

The choice is yours. Every time.