Imagine you’re attempting to make a change in your workplace. The issue could be as simple as a procedural change. It’s a change that will benefit the company and the bottom line. You see the benefit and take the lead in making the change occur.
Here’s the challenge. In order for the change to be effective, you will need the participation of several other people (or departments).
Do you write a memo and tell others?
Or do you take the time to discuss, get input, and sell others?
Telling is easy. It’s fast. It can be done in a memo. It also usually fails. People don’t like to be told. They resist.
Selling is more difficult. It takes time. Patience. Diplomacy.
The advantage of selling is it gets others to buy in. It can be their idea. The credit for the solution is shared. The change is much more likely to be adapted and successful.
It’s pretty easy to tell others what to do … but not often successful.
It’s a lot more difficult to sell others on what needs to be done … but with better results.
Do you like to be told what to do?
How’s your salesmanship?
Are you willing to do the hard work of selling? … and stop telling?