A few days ago, I was on a call where we were discussing the status of each person's projects and ideas. One individual was visibly upset because their project wasn't progressing as quickly as they had hoped. The reason? The people they were relying on weren't being as reactive as needed.
The facilitator had a brilliant approach to this situation. Instead of letting the person dwell on the lack of support, they suggested looking at the story from a different angle: rather than waiting for others to take action, why not drive the action yourself? Don't just stop at proposing ideas; take the lead and make them happen.
And this is especially important when the project is important for you, but for the other party it’s just one more thing to do on their plate, and maybe not even a top priority.
When you’re telling yourself the story of “they don’t care about this important project”, don’t forget to consider the story from their shoes as well.
Also, way too often we tend to leave the initiative to someone else, only to end up complaining that nobody wants to help us. But the solution is simple: don't just sit and wait for someone to come to you. Take the lead and drive the action.
To reach your goals, consider these top 3 development ideas:
- Set Clear Objectives: Define what success looks like for your project. Break down your goals into manageable tasks and set deadlines for each.
- Build a Support Network: Identify key stakeholders and allies who can help you. Communicate your vision clearly and enlist their support.
- Take Initiative: Don't wait for others to act. Be proactive in driving your project forward. If you encounter obstacles, find creative solutions to overcome them.
Also consider these potential coaching exercises to help understand the situation from the perspective of others:
- Empathy Mapping: Create an empathy map to visualize what others might be thinking, feeling, seeing, and doing. This exercise helps you understand their perspective and identify areas where you can offer support.
- Active Listening: Practice active listening by fully focusing on the speaker, acknowledging their feelings, and asking open-ended questions. This exercise helps you understand their perspective and build trust.
- Perspective-Taking: Write a narrative from the other person's point of view. This exercise helps you see the situation through their eyes and develop empathy for their challenges.
One thing I’ve learned from this one is: success is not just about having great ideas; it's about taking action and making those ideas a reality, no matter the obstacles.
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