Can you speak up when you believe that your team or company is | Английский & Soft skills для руководителей

Can you speak up when you believe that your team or company is missing something important, moving in the wrong direction or taking too much risk?

Decisions formed from diversity of opinions usually lead to long-term outcomes. Though, it’s hard to question widely accepted beliefs.

How to gain a receptive audience?
How to be persuasive and effectively challenge groupthink and remind people that there are alternative paths?

There are several steps to deliver a high-quality persuasive message:

demonstrate how your work has benefitted the team. It’s the hardest part for humble Russian top and middle management. In Russia, people tend to take their own results for granted. But, it will give you the power to challenge the majority opinion
inspire trust and evoke curiosity. Say that your primary concern is to boost your team’s chances of success. Acknowledge potential costs and short-term pain points, but explain that you are focused on a better future
stay on point and be consistent. The strongest predictor of success in terms of being persuasive is a consistent message
use Storytelling - part and parcel of efficient communication. Help people imagine what they will be doing, thinking and feeling in the future.
identify what is subjective opinion and what has supported evidence
address obstacles and risks. Transparency boosts persuasive appeal
use “we” instead of “I” to reduce the distance between you and your audience
offer opportunities for criticism and refinements
try to meet with potential detractors in private so you can effectively address their concerns

These rules don’t guarantee the results, but they will definitely increase your chances of success.