Visionaries and Early Adaptors LO22562

Patrick Delaney (pdelaney@SensibleInc.com)
Fri, 3 Sep 1999 01:24:16 -0000

Replying to LO22519 --

To all LO readers,

Greg Troxell started this thread. At the heart of his post was this
question:

>How might this person help others, especially the late adapters, process,
>accept, embrace, endorse or buy into the vision (as is or adjusted/some
>collaborative adaptation)?

The thread has taken it's usual twists and turns. Unless I missed
something (more than possible) few have responded DIRECTLY to the
question at hand.

Greg still hasn't received direct answers to his original question.

Harriet Robles wrote to share a parallel, real-life example of getting
people to buy in to a vision. She wrote:

> I look at the 7 or 8 people I have to convince to consider
>possibilities (if not my first idea, then something else) and I know that
>they are steadfast in their advocacy for their own disciplines.

>So, to Greg's question: "How might I need to present the same idea
>differently to each unique individual (people of a different
>behavioral/psychometric/learning styles)?"

In return, I wrote:

How can your project advance "the 7 or 8 people's" disciplines? Is that 7
or 8 tailored approaches to consensus?

Harriet responded:
>Patrick: Can you elaborate a little on your suggestion? Harriett.

So I expand on my terse response:

1) You've got a great idea/vision/process.

2) You see the value, the better solution, the benefits.

3) You are lucky. In your situation, one other person sees the vision
as well.

4) your "7 or 8" other people - - from multiple disciplines - - need:
a) assistance in seeing the vision/idea
b) to be convinced to adapt this idea/vision

5) If I understand correctly, believe I would be reluctant to:
a) present any vision/idea to a diverse group as the first step
b) re-present the vision in the same format. Repackage vision slightly.
New twists. Different words. People are loathe to revisit the same issue
more than once. However, most reasonable people will listen to NEW
information/ideas.

6) In a group situation, it is difficult to hold the attention of all
while focusing on individual benefits/issues of a single group member.
People want to learn what's in it for them - - quickly and succinctly.

7) Study each of the 7/8 people and their disciplines individually.
Visit with them/socialize - - one on one - - to learn more of their
disciplines, their driving needs, their goals, their visions, and their
challenges. Do this in person. Everybody loves to talk about their
(professional) passions. Roll your sleeves up & get dirty, if necessary.
Live in their world for a few hours. They will gain new respect for you.
And vice-versa. And directly or indirectly, they will tell you why they
missed seeing your vision initially. And how to fix same.

8) Think through each of the 7/8 individual scenarios. Determine how
your vision can advance their discipline. How can it help solve their
challenges, support their visions, satisfy their needs, drive their
disciplines forward?

9) Once you have answered #8, revisit the 7/8 people - - again one on
one - - and tailor your conversation to their individual needs. Test your
new ideas against their world, their needs. Gain support for advancing
their/your project one person at a time. Position your vision in a
win/win circumstance for each of the 7/8 people. Repeat as necessary
until you've honestly achieved this step/won their support.

10) When the 7/8 people reconvene as a group, do a 30 second review of
the advantages each of the individuals will gain (Less than 5 minutes
total summary). Gain acceptance of your vision by making it in their
individual and collective best interests. Present not "your vision", but
THEIR vision. I'm not so sure I'd care about it being "my vision". I'm
much more interested in seeing Vision "X" reach practical application.
Then the vision will live.

Harriet, et al: This is the only way I know to help people see a
vision/idea: Gain acceptance one person at a time. I try to focus energies
on exposing the concept to the most appropriate people and forums.

To all LO readers: Judging from what I've read on this list, there are
clearly a lot of bright people in this forum. Some must have had visions
successfully launched to a broad audience. I, for one, would certainly
hate to re-invent the wheel all by myself. There are multiple ways to
solve most puzzles. There must be solutions to Greg's original question
other than what's written here. How did others do it? How did they sell
the first word processor?

Hope the thoughts help!

Sincerely,

Patrick Delaney
e-mail: pDelaney@SensibleInc.com

Sensible Solutions, inc.
...an executive search consultancy
239 W. Coolidge Ave.
Barrington, IL 60010

847.382.0070

www.SensibleInc.com

-- 

Patrick Delaney <pdelaney@SensibleInc.com>

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