5 Ways Leaders Win With Skeptics
All leader face skeptics. It’s normal, in some cases healthy.
Pessimists and doubters keep leaders on their toes.
5 ways to win with skeptics:
#1. Overcome the shoe drop distraction.
You’re skeptical of people that dance around important issues. It feels like they’re setting you up. You’re waiting for the shoe to drop.
- Declare what you want up front.
- State your case only after declaring your intentions.
#2. Honestly appraise yourself.
- Don’t belittle yourself or hog the spotlight. I’m skeptical of people that belittle their own contribution.
- Graciously accept praise. Reject false humility.
- When people praise you, try saying, “It feels great to add value.” Or say, “It’s great to lead a talented team.”
#3. Give honor, don’t hog it.
Hogging glory fuels skepticism.
Warning: Skeptical team members may decide to pay you back.
Untempered skepticism may express itself by withholding information, creating and spreading rumors, and giving lackluster performances. When others toot your horn, just say thanks.
#4. Listen before telling.
Ask sincere questions when you want to hear real answers.
Insincere questions make others feel manipulated, disrespected, and belittled.
Insincerity fuels skepticism.
#5. Demonstrate competence – acknowledge incompetence.
Skepticism is healthy until you demonstrate character and competence.
Character alone doesn’t build trust. Covey puts it this way, “… competence is as vital to trust as character.” For example, my plumber is honest. I trust him to install a new shower. However, he’s not competent to give my car a tune-up. You answer skeptics with character and competence.
Transparency answers skepticism.
How might leaders deal with skeptics?
Some organizations INTENTIONALLY add a role of Devil’s Advocate to decision-making teams simply to GET that other viewpoint, especially when the outcomes or results of the work might be dicey; they get better perspective and improved decision-making when that designated skeptic is involved.
On the other hand, the ways to deal with the input of those people is straightforward and very useful. One DOES need to facilitate more open discussions, acknowledging issues and working to reframe possibilities.
Lawyers will tell you that there is no such thing as “unanticipated consequences” and that EVERY possibility can be discovered and discussed if one deals properly with the decisions being made and looks at them from all angles.
Character, competence, plus perspective are all critical to effective leadership, right?
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I know there’s a common view that you have to fail to advance, but there really are situations where you will never get a second chance. At times like that, listen to skeptics: is your idea as bright as you think it is? Remember what Lyndon Johnson said about peeing down your own leg: it feels hot to you, but not to anyone else. Make use of skeptics to make sure you don’t get in that situation!