To earn support

To earn support, leaders must communicate a clear vision and provide a roadmap for how to get there.

In the early 1990s and the decades before that, the world of business looked much different than it does today. Back then, it was typical for business leaders to sit at the head of a long boardroom table, giving out instructions and assigning tasks. Leaders were king – or queen – of their corporate domain.

This model has changed entirely. Today, the old “command and control” style of leadership no longer works. There are two reasons for this. First, employees are more empowered, educated, and autonomous than ever before. Second, traditional corporate hierarchies have been flattened. In other words, companies function less like monarchies and more like democracies.

What does this mean for leaders? Well, if you want to turn your preferable into results, you’ll need the support of a good team – but you’ll have to earn that support.

So how do you earn support?

Start by laying out your preferable. Clearly and concisely, explain what it is and why it’s important for the company to achieve it. Try showing your potential followers a real-life example of what you’re trying to achieve. Perhaps you have an existing example from another industry that you can use – or maybe you could make one up to illustrate what you’re aiming for.

It should be absolutely clear how achieving your preferable will change the company, and why that change will be for the better.

Remember to use powerful imagery to spice up your pitch. Research has shown that people are more likely to be persuaded by something they can visualize. Stories that involve relatable characters will make your preferable easier to understand and inspire your listeners.

Now that we’ve touched on how to communicate the “what,” let’s take a look at ways to communicate the “how.”

For starters, you’ll need to give your followers a step-by-step plan of how to achieve the desired outcome. You’ll also need to communicate what resources you’ll need to support you in this process – whether that’s additional finances, equipment, or manpower.

A key thing to remember is that people resist change unless they’re certain that the result of the change will be worth the effort. So instead of overwhelming people with your enthusiasm, allow them to absorb your ideas, ask questions, and think about how they can support you.