My colleague Steve found himself in a tough spot a few years back.
When his CEO tasked him with a groundbreaking project, he felt like a million bucks. He believed in the project wholeheartedly and was excited to present all the details to his team.
However, when he brought the idea back to his team, they had valid concerns and were absolutely opposed to the implementation.
Steve, who had already committed to the CEO before consulting his team, found himself in a bind. Fearful of letting down either side, he attempted to navigate the situation without causing upset.
But he couldn’t.
Steve was avoiding both, the hard conversations with either side and the necessary action.
His reluctance to upset anyone led to losing authority and respect, eventually resulting in a forced career shift.
It’s a common pitfall I’ve seen many leaders stumble into the belief that leadership is about making everyone happy. True leadership, however, is about earning trust through honesty and the willingness to make tough decisions, even (and especially) if they’re unpopular.
On his journey, Steve discovered a vital lesson: true influence comes from being willing to disappoint others.
This realization led him to seek guidance as he started a new job, and we are working together to navigate the challenges of persuasion effectively.
Next week, we are over the moon excited to announce a new offering inspired by Steve’s journey. It’s designed to equip you with the strategies needed to overcome the universal persuasion challenges (so you don’t have to worry about “making everyone happy”).
Stay tuned for the big reveal. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it.
With love,
Mari Carmen
