Turn Pushback into Power
Ideas are little darlings. Opposition insults them. You want others to love your ideas, but it’s useful when they don’t.
Don’t pushback on pushback. An idea that withers under scrutiny is weak.
The way you handle friction shapes you and your future. When you identify with your ideas resistance feels personal.
Find Advantage in Pushback
- Protect focus. What are you trying to achieve?
- Adapt methods. There’s more than one way forward.
- Clarify constraints. List what you can’t do.
- Lean on creativity. Boundaries spark fresh thinking.
Say: “I hear what we can’t do. What can we do?”
Resistance is the point of greatest opportunity.
3 Responses to Pushback
#1. Affirm
- “Thanks for speaking up.”
- “What’s the risk if we ignore your concern?”
- “What might we regret if we don’t listen?”
#2. Reframe
- “What’s the real pain we’re trying to solve?”
- “Who really benefits? Who might lose?”
#3. Explore
- “If X is off the table, what’s our boldest option?”
- “What’s the upside of this roadblock?”
Don’t waste energy fighting “no” head on. Use “no” to channel energy.
Action Steps
- This week, when someone says “no,” repeat it back and thank them.
- Ask one follow-up question that starts with “What can we…”
- Write down every option you uncover.
Resistance isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of better solutions.
How can leaders make the most of pushback?
How to Face Resistance to Your Great Ideas
Practical Strategies for Leaders to Overcome Resistance during Change
Start by determining what exactly the person is resisting. Is it:
–some aspect of your idea
–your complete idea
–how to implement your idea
–the priority of your idea
I would add “Are they resisting the messenger (you) rather than the message (your idea)?”
great point Jennifer.
Start with the end goal in mind – What are “we” trying to accomplish? It’s not all about me, it IS about getting to the end goal in the most effective way. I am not the smartest person in the room and the more people that contribute to the goal, the easier the path forward will be.
Thanks Jim. Don’t focus on resistance. Don’t even focus on your idea. The questioin is how can we best achieve this goal. Of course, if we don’t agree on the goal, we’re pulling in different directions.
Humility admits it may not know everything or see everything. Pride is just the opposite. The questions you pose come from humility. What am I not seeing? What am I discounting that we shouldn’t? What do you see/hear in this idea? What makes you say that? So helpful!
The “what am I missing” question is powerful. As you say, it takes humility.