How do you get your ideas heard?
ByRecently, I was asked a question that I hear pretty often.
Usually the questioner is young, perhaps newly-graduated from school. They’re almost always new to their current job. And I can often hear their frustration when they ask:
Please tell me, how can someone just entering the workforce create change?
Maybe you’re familiar with this question. Do you see a need for change in your organization? Are you frustrated because you can’t get anyone else to see it – much less do something about it? Maybe you’ve just graduated from university and gotten your first job. Or perhaps you’re a veteran worker, but newly-hired. Either way, it seems like a cruel joke.
As a new member of the team,
You see things with fresh eyes; you see problems that others might have just gotten used to. And if you’re young, you’re probably willing to take on any challenge.
BUT
You’ve also just joined an established group. No one knows you, so you have no credibility, no trust, no goodwill. You may have wonderful ideas, but how do you impress them on others?
What can you do to be heard?
You need to CONNECT.
Based on the definition I used when I wrote Everyone Communicates, Few Connect,
Connecting is the ability to identify with people
and relate to them in a way that increases
your influence with them.
Think about it: Where does change begin in an organization? With the people! So your ability to communicate and connect with others is a major determining factor in increasing your influence. And increasing your influence with them is your way of making change happen.
Here are some next steps to take:
- Keep in mind that connecting requires energy. You must be intentional – not casual – in your interactions. Devote the time and energy necessary, but DON’T steal it from the work you were hired for. The energy you put toward connection needs to be above and beyond what you’re already doing for your job.
- Focus on others. True connection is all about others. If you’re still working on making your agenda happen (i.e. creating change), that’s not connection; it’s manipulation.
- Work on finding common ground. When two people come together to communicate, each has a reason for doing so. To connect on common ground, you must know your reason and the other person’s reason, then find a way to connect the two.
All of this may sound complicated and roundabout when all you want to do get your goals accomplished. But you need to remember: Making a difference in your work is not about productivity; it’s about people. When you focus on others and connect with them, you can work together to accomplish great things.
This was very good and very helpful to me. Thank you!
Absolutely this applies in so many areas. This applies to all walks of life and all backgrounds.
Words of wisdom.
Sir thank you I have praying about communication.. this so useful
Good words John. I think one of the essentials to connecting with people and having your ideas heard is to build credibility. As you noted in your post, when you’re connecting with people, you can’t steal time and energy from the work you were hired to do. I’ve found that when I deliver my work (what I was hired to do) with exceptional results, credibility quickly follows. As long as I’ve been cultivating good relationships (and not burning bridges with people), the credibility that comes from exceptional performance naturally opens the door for ideas to be heard. People like to listen to ideas from people who are humble, have good people skills, and have proven themselves by delivering outstanding results.
Thanks Dr. John I was about to give up with someone that feels I was competing for his job. I will be intentional in affirming him as a great leader by sharing synergetic exchanges next week we meet.
Thank you Dr. John, I appreciate so much reading this post tonight! It was exactly what I needed for some extra reassurance and as a confidence boost in pursuing my dreams
and becoming a leader in the area that tugs at my heart. Many blessings to you and your family! hugs, Jenn
Thanks Dr. John for posting this and writing the book “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect”. I’m in chapter 2 right now and enjoying it so far. I want to be a good communicator, but more importantly I need to be a great connector! Thanks for the wisdom. : )
By the way, enjoyed hearing you speak at Healing Place Church last weekend. Hope you’ll come back to see us soon.
Another strategy I found that worked well was identify who the people are that are already established in the group who look like change agents… ask them questions that make them think along the lines they need to think to discover the change… and then they suggest the change as they already have the respect of the group.
They know where the idea came from, everyone else doesn’t need to… at least not initially…
So true, great article. Another key in this process is patience, patience and did I say patience.
My friend Wayne started a new job about two months ago and immediately realized that the pay was woefully inadequate for the job. He quickly discovered that the old established workforce there were used to it and unwilling to ask for a raise even though they admitted they were working too cheap. Long story short, Wayne who has a great ability to connect, made friends among his co-workers, got his voice heard, and was instrumental in getting a substantial raise from the company. They raised the pay without fuss because they had known for quite some time that they were underpaying but because no one asked, they didn’t get. Even as a newbie to your field if you will learn to connect, make friends, and find common ground, you can quickly make a difference. Jesus said ask and you will recieve. Thanks John for teaching us how to connect.
I love this topic, i’ve seen God work in my life through this. Character plays a big role and consistent performance in your daily work, this allowed me the trust and ability to be able to draw close to the people I needed to get more time and influence with. All of it was a genuine process, again this goes with character and integrity, not manipulation or hidden agendas.
I think people can read thru that stuff most of the time.
M_
Frustrated young person seems to have been the Elihu’s position as most junior member of Job’s posse of “comforters”! Thank you for helping to distinguish connection and manipulation.
Stephen Covey talks about being a Trim Tab: Do all the things nobody else wants to do. This will enable you to win credibility and a voice far quicker.
thats a gud advice n i believe thats the challenge many graduates face in the industry n if they can see it they can be freed from anxiety n dilemmas of everyday work life
Great post, another factor to add here. To create change we have to start with ourselves. I would venture to say there have been many great messages which were never heard because the messenger could not attract the proper audience.
“Making a difference is not about productivity, it’s about people.” One of my favorite quotes in this post! I’ve connected with 7500 people on Twitter not because of who I am, but because of what I offer my followers. I simply tweet scripture verses and quotes like yours @lifeverse
I was struggling with this issue for a long time. Now I know what to do and how to do? Thanx…
I think as leaders it is important to value people as endowed by their creator. When we do this we are able to hear and value what they bring to the table. Jesus said we are members of one another. Too often, we value people on what position they have and disreguard them as individuals. This is done on both sides of the table with leaders and followers.
Those you are listening to can add value to you by expanding your perspective and in return you can exapand others knowledge becasue they may not be able to see the whole picture.
Each of us can learn and add value to others. When we value and work together, the whole organization can be taken to another level.
wow,i love your words,its timly and simple to adhere to.i think its a step further and a step in the right direction when you are able to connect.thanks john.
I agree with the new person not being heard but that’s not my case. I’ve been with my company for a long time and know my job and theirs too very well and still they don’t want to listen to what I have to offer. I will try to shift my focus to people more that to change. I was in Atlanta with the 5 Linx training session in May and I was thrilled to be in the presence of Rev. John Maxwell. The time he spent teaching us was well spent and received. I just loved the was He so easily communicated with the crowed and made it seem that He was talking only to me. I was so inspired by the teachings that when I returned to Indianapolis I went out and bought the book “Put Your dream To The Test”, the newest book “Everyone Communicates but Few Connect” and one other leadership book. Now one of my “rule of 5″ is “Everyday I read”. Keep inspiring people and God bless you in all of your endeavers
Most of us have an in-built protective radar when people are focusing or paying attention to us to manipulate us, that’s why your second point on having the ‘intention’ to connect and not to push our agenda resonates with me.
Although we may assume that others do not know what we are thinking, they can ‘feel’ our intentions.
I have also read from Dianne Crampton’s book, “Tigers Among Us: Winning Business Team Cultures And Why They Thrive” on how values such as trust, interdependence, genuineness, ‘empathy’, risk and success can create successful work teams.
So with Roy’s comment, ” been with my company for a long time and know my job and theirs too very well and still they don’t want to listen to what I have to offer”…compels me to ask whether he exercises behaviors that builds trust and empathy (or connection) in people?
I am also one of those people who have in the past, not connected with my colleagues. And am now more aware of why.
This is great advice. We would have fewer discouraged and frustrated employees on the team if we simply learned this! Especially new team member. Credibility is crucial and critical to success, and it is gained through communication and connecting with others! Good stuff, thanks for sharing.
A friend of mine compares it to bowling. Once you start knocking pins over more and more start falling. Find the person that is most important and “knock them down” first. That will help the chain reaction of more and more going. Great thoughts John, turns out connecting is critical!
In situations where I was the “newby” in a department or to an organization where my early inquires of:
Have we ever thought to…. or ….Is there any reason why we don’t….
receive a quick: “that’s not how we do things here” or “that is not up for discussion”, connecting becomes an immediate priority but making an assessment of the level of complacency is also in order to determine my role will be in the team/dept/org.
Influence will come from what I bring to the table as a team member, but the team has to allow me access to the table.
This is such a good point and relevant I think even to those who have been in an organisation for a long time but are new to a new group formed in the organisation. People skills are paramount but not easy at times. I think confidence in yourself and your own worth helps you value others and put forward your ideas; and yes in humility but with certainty you have done your best.:-)
Great comments
You’ve done it again John!
I love the energy idea b/c it’s so true. Especially for the younger generation, b/c we need to leverage our youth and energy for good. We must “be intentional” with our energy. Guard it with extreme caution to ensure no energy goes wasted.
Thx JCM!
Nicely put John.
Patiently energetic I might add. I remember my younger days and how inpatient I was. I wanted everyone to know my ideas. I became frustrated asking myself “can’t they see this is the way to go?”
The energy was there but patience wasn’t. Ironic enough, I was introduced to your books John. I read Today Matters, 21 Irrefutable Laws, and Failing Forward. Through these books I learn many valuable lessons and through the stories contained in them I learned patience (must admit, I could use some more).
Patiently energetic. Good stuff!
Thanks -Milton
decidere.wordpress.com
@msolorzano
Finding someone to connect and establishing a common group is a good start. However, you need to find someone who is also a change agent and has influence on others. Because they are the people who can help you get your message across.
A very timely message. I can best use this with the people i’m to deal with. Thanks.
Time to be truthful. Most people in charge overthings are not leaders. They often think they know it all and will not listen. I have seen people walk in confusion and someone else have the answer and the person in charge won’t listen. They ended up sufficating that particular ministry and it went no where. You can have a good idea and have the wrong person over it and kill the dream. I and others eventually quit going to the meetings becasue they were going no where and were a waste of time. The results were a huge disaster. I would really like to give you details, but…
I do not follow that particular minister becasuse he is not a true leader. I cant follow someone who is not effective, because it is waste of my time and energy.
The problem was not the ministry is was that the person leading it had not the vision, nor the leadership skills to carry it out. When God does not allow something to take off the ground its because that is not the air he desires you to fly in.
No’s or not listening have never stopped me, but I learn from watching others with poor leadership skills so that I want lead like them. So God is in the process of still making for the particular place He has for me. It is hard not to get discouraged and it is very frustrating.
My personal expeirance is like the leading home run hitter that swung and stuck out, but never quit. Eventually, you will hit a home run. You have believe in yourself, in your vision and always be learning and when its your time, you have to be ready. Therefore it takes perservance to be all the God created you to be and you can’t always listen when others don’t believe in you.
You have to know what information to let in and what to keep out. People are people. I just wish I had more near me that I could trully admire and follow. Some people are few and far between. I say always keep learning and never quit and whatever you walk through will prepare you for what God has for you in the future. Wait expectantly.
Where was this site before. Thank God Ive found just what I needed! Praise Jesus! and thank you Mr. Maxwell
This is one Big Help to me and to my ministry and training business. I thank God for you sir.