Dealing With Reluctance – 2

Blocked Vision

One of the best ways forward to achieving anything is to have a Vision. We hear this all the time with phrases like those who don’t have goals don’t score them.

Every Vision is supported by Enablers – which help progress things towards achieving the Vision.

Every Vision also has Blockers – which hold back progress towards the Vision.

A Blocker might be not enough money, or time or resources – or agreement. It can be anything that gets in the way of the Vision becoming realised.

If one or more of the team are reluctant and seem stuck on a Blocker, then switch the focus onto the Enablers for a while.

Discussing the Vision and its Enablers is very positive and feels good. It helps people overcome their doubts.

I can see where we’re held up – but can we recap on our positives?

Can we just take a look at our strengths?

I feel we’re 80% of the way there. Let’s see what we’ve got in our favour.

It’s fine to write the Vision and the Enablers on a flip chart.

Now, coming back to Reluctance by one of the attendees, we might deal with it like this:

Okay – we have a Vision we’re all happy with. We have strong Enablers that help us. Now – what Blockers have we got left to deal with?

Expressing reluctance as Blockers and deal withobliges the reluctant person to take a more proactive and helpful approach. No one wants to be seen as a Blocker.

Use this technique as often as you need to. It makes people try harder.

John, if you feel you need to block this then I guess you see it that way. But can we take another look and see if we can’t figure our a workaround.

Karen … we can all see why you feel the need to block this, and we understand your reasons. What would you suggest on the positive side to help?

James, what is the hold up! Please give us something we can work with.

These are strong words, and you need to frame them to your own manner of speaking. But you must make it clear to the Blocker and everyone else that you all need to try harder. If you don’t you’re sunk.

Exercise 18:

Get used to talking in terms of Vision, Enablers and Blockers.

By using language you can change. But first you have to change your language.

It’s very easy to do, and will make more people want to help you more often.

It will also make Blockers feel uncomfortable and want to try harder.

Where possible, focus on the Strengths – the Enablers

Write the Vision and Enablers on a flip chart.

Footnote: Many people mistake language for jargon. Many meetings are saturated with jargon. Avoid the jargon and the words associated with it. Stick with simple words that everyone understands. Use words that mean something, rather than words to impress, or words to fit in the group.

> Dealing with Reluctance – 3 – The Wafflers vs the Flip Chart