Leadership Tip: Creating Commitment

Avoid the Consensus Trap!

Some people on your team are lobbying for Option A. Others are dead set on Option B. The rest don't like A or B.

Sound familiar? Ever feel like your hands are tied trying to make everyone happy? I've got good news for you: Your job as a leader is not to get everyone to agree; your job is to help them choose to commit.

Consensus is general agreement among all the members of a group. Commitment is devotion or dedication to a decided course of action. Consensus is an enticing illusion, while commitment is a powerful force.

Too many leaders wear themselves out trying to get everyone to agree. Such "consensus-building" usually ends in watered-down solutions, delayed action, and general frustration. Don't waste your time chasing after consensus; invest your time cultivating commitment.

People don't have to get their way to buy into a decision. Most merely want to know their input was heard, understood, and considered. When people feel like their leader listens to them and respects their contributions they are much more likely to commit to a decision that wasn't their first choice.

To help your people get behind your decisions, work the following into your process:

- Get input from everyone (even the quiet ones)
- Encourage a lively debate (disagreement is not disrespect)
- Carefully consider each idea (don't just go through the motions)
- Make a timely decision (not too early; not too late)
- Commit to your own decision (show 'em how it's done!)

What's your team struggling to agree on right now? Stop running after consensus and start laying the foundation for commitment.

Lead the way!

--Geoff



[ This tip originally appeared in Graceworks News. Sign up here for the newsletter. ]