You’re in the middle of a debate. It’s at a standstill. You’re not getting buy-in and the discussion is getting less and less productive.
You’ve likely fallen into two common pitfalls — here’s what you can do instead.
1. Instead of starting with your solution, start with the problem you’re trying to solve.
At a company-wide meeting, Taylor, the CEO, shares that the board is considering a switch from remote to in-person work.
She immediately experiences push back with team members citing numerous concerns.
In this example, it’s common for both sides to get stuck in defensiveness. But what if Taylor started with sharing the problem the board was trying to solve?
Turns out, the board received strong indicators that venture investors were taking stances against remote startups and the company was running out of cash.
Hearing this first could make Taylor’s audience more empathetic toward the problem at hand, as well as more considerate of the solution she will propose.
2. Instead of arguing for your solution, argue for the why behind your solution.
Jonathan pitches the idea of going to Hawaii for vacation with his wife, Veronica. But Veronica starts to make a case for Canada — they already went to Hawaii last year, but they haven’t been to Canada yet.
In this example, it’s common to get stuck at the solution level, debating back and forth between two solutions: Hawaii vs Canada.
Instead, what if they started with the why behind the suggested solutions?
- Jonathan’s Why: Relaxation
- Veronica’s Why: Novelty
Now the conversation can be more collaborative. Rather than debating Hawaii vs. Canada, the couple can brainstorm vacation ideas that can offer both a novel and a relaxing experience.
The takeaway? Share your motivations and intentions prior to suggesting the solution.
If you are ready to influence, present, and communicate like a leader, consider our Professional L1 course today. Spots are limited.
