The Importance of getting BUY-in from your people

I don't watch the mainstream news very often but decided over lunch to turn on CNN newsroom and see what all was going on. Of course 99% of the stories are about the state our economy. Go figure. The state of Virginia was highlighted in a nice story about how they would use their stimulus money ($4 billion) to improve their state. Residents have been asked to offer their ideas on line about how they would use the money. Many requests are purely out of one's own self interests but from the 8,000 submissions Governor Tim Kaine has gotten some great ideas on the direction of their state's future. The struggling college student who has asked for the state to purchase her a car probably won't get what she asked for, but at the same time she has been given a voice to throw in her ideas.

There is something to be learned here. In so many organizations, decisions that affect EVERYONE are made by a select few--those at the top and then implemented from top to bottom without ever considering the impact it will have on those who are affected by the decision. A great example to me are when our elected officials make decisions about public education but don't ask students, teacher, parents, school districts what they would do.

If you have made it to the top of the decision making food chain in your organization, don't dismiss the original and new ideas that others in the organization might have to offer. Likewise, don't underestimate the power of "buy in" for new decisions. If I feel like I had some input on the decision, whether my idea was adopted or not--I am more likely to be on board. Great parents know this. Now...for you cynics don't read into my comment. I am not saying "Make them think we value their ideas and then do what we want anyway". That is manipulative and inauthentic. And people see through that every time. You have to be GENUINELY interested in other people and their ideas.

When everyone is a part of the process then you are going to have an easier time getting buy in. Do you have to get everyone's input on every decision made? No. But judge according to the extent the decision will impact those who follow your lead. If you take the time to just ask yourself this question you will start to have a good idea about when you need to attempt to reach a consensus.

Now off to a family meeting on where we should vacation this summer.....