Imagine packing for a trip to a destination that is known for its warm, humid weather, only to get there and have the temperature drop to an unseasonably 20 degrees below its historical lows. That's the visual I got this morning from the local news channel, as a man from a movie film crew, that was shooting the next installment of the Twilight saga downtown, was dressed in shorts while temperatures were hovering around 31 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now either this guy is from Alaska, or he just didn't check the forecast before he packed his suitcase. Either way, I'll bet he was hating life as they set up for the shoot, wishing he could somehow adjust a supernatural thermostat to a toasty 75 degrees.
Witnessing this poor guy's plight this morning reminded me of a valuable lesson I learned as a student leader that has served me well throughout my professional experience. That lesson was simply this: As a leader, you must carry your own weather.
Think back to a time when you walked into a meeting, engaged in a conversation, or otherwise set out to share your latest idea for improving your organization, when you were met with a less than receptive "vibe" from the other party.
You were sure they would see the value and merit of your well-conceived plan, but apparently they decided to drink a pint of pickle juice before showing up to this meeting of the minds.
Instead of embracing the amazing vision you've just set forth (and who in their right mind wouldn't? Your idea was brilliant!) they launch into some lame rendition of "101 Reasons Why this Won't Work and Why You're Not Competent Enough to Pull it Off Even if it Would."
So after you pack up your stuff and slide under the door in defeat, how do you bounce back, recover from the flesh wounds, and heal from the heavy dose of self-doubt?
Before you head back into another potential blood bath of bad attitude, prepare you message with the following ideas in mind:
• First, remember that most new ideas, concepts, visions, and revolutionary/evolutionary advancements are initially met with resistance. Yours, though completely logical and air tight in your own mind, will most likely be no different. The fact is, it's not really about your idea. It's about human nature. Most people resist change, some violently, at least on some level.
• Secondly, pre-determine that no matter the lack of visual, verbal, or vocal acceptance you initially receive when you communicate your thoughts, you will not be shaken. To do this effectively, make sure you spend several minutes before your interaction reinforcing and reminding yourself of the value your ideas have to your organization. Having someone to confide in, and sound off to, before and after your meeting could be a great source of "climate control."
• Finally, to stack the acceptance forecast in your favor, make sure you know exactly how you're going to sell your vision to the people who you are attempting to influence. And by sell, I simply mean helping them to see how they are directly going to benefit from your proposed recommendation. When you help them to immediately see what's in it for them, they're more likely to be receptive to the potential of change. Some of them may even become your biggest supporters.
As leaders of our organizations, we hardly ever have the luxury of walking into an ideal situation and have our vision received unanimously. Therefore it is wise to anticipate resistance, and then take the steps necessary to weather any "disturbance" that comes our way. When you carry your own weather, you'll be able to remain comfortable no matter what "conditions" arise.