James Metcalfe
An idea, no matter how brilliant it is in theory, is only groundbreaking once it has been executed to its maximum efficiency. Breaking through the obstacles in front of you and being noticed enough for that to actually happen however can pose a challenge for even the best team members.
Below are some of the best workplace tips from leading experts in the field for getting those in the hierarchy to listen, take notice and help implement all your best ideas moving forward.
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#1 WIIIFM (What Is In It For Me)
People are naturally focused on their own self-interest -- on achieving their own values, needs, and interests.
To influence your boss or team leader, frame your message as addressing THEIR self-interests rather than your own. Many people incorrectly try to influence others by describing their own needs and interests instead of focusing on how their suggested idea or solution meets the needs and interests of their counterpart. You must frame your influence approach in terms of what's in it for them.
Partnering and collaboration allow all parties to satisfy their own self-interest for a win-win outcome.
Contributor: Halelly Azulay from talentgrow.com
#2 Open Discussions
For weekly meetings, ask for 5 minutes at the end of the agenda to have an Open Discussion time. Pitch your ideas then. If your co-workers like the idea, you get buy-in and the idea gets implemented. If your boss dislikes the idea, he can give everyone the rationale for not doing it.
Contributor: Sandi Webster
#3 Pick Your Time
Make sure you approach your boss at the right time. Do you have regular meetings? That’s the time to do it. Don’t interrupt their schedule and catch them at a bad time of the day. Don’t follow them to their car to discuss something. That’s the worst time. They have somewhere to go--not time to talk to you.
Contributor: Wayne Strickland from waynestricklandspeaking.com
#4 Start With Praise
If you're not confident about getting your own ideas heard, start with praising others. Do it sincerely, on topics that you actually agree with. If someone (especially your boss) pitches a good idea, chime in. And add in your two cents about how to make it go even further. Even follow up with emails.
Doing this will make it obvious that you're a team player and have the company's best interests at heart. Then, when you have your own great ideas, the tone is set. Everyone's ready to listen.
Contributor: Maryna Shkvorets from marynashkvorets.com
#5 Wait For The Facts
Start with the facts. Ideally, you have new, relevant, and timely information that will help your boss solve a problem. Make sure these are facts, not assumptions, hypothesis, feelings, or a hunch.
You must have facts to discuss.
Contributor: Wayne Strickland from waynestricklandspeaking.com
#6 Make Yourself Valuable
Make yourself more valuable to the organization by keeping your skills up-to-date. Take additional work-related college courses, attend academic conferences, participate in seminars or webinars offered by professional associations, and/or earn job-related certifications. Many employers will contribute financially to your continuing education efforts, but you may have to ask the HR folks about how their support system operates. And don't keep your self-improvement activities a secret.
Don't brag, but do keep your boss informed about those activities.
Contributor: Timothy G. Wiedman, D.B.A
#7 Think As They Do
The best way to have your boss and leadership listen to you is to think like them – strategically. Given that big ideas have big impact within a company, ideas presented upwards are more palatable if they have already planned for how this will impact adjacent business units. To that end, a voice which is always thinking about the broader business goals of the company and aligning their ideas towards moving the ball forward, not just specific metrics, cuts through the noise.
Contributor: Marco Castelán from thenaviogroup.com
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