A manager I worked with recently was frustrated. “I’ve told them what needs to happen—more than once. Why aren’t they on board?”
I get it. When people don’t follow through, it’s tempting to double down, re-explain, or push harder. But what I have found:
You can’t force buy-in. You have to invite it.
Buy-in doesn’t come from repeating the plan—it comes from people feeling like they’ve had a part in shaping it.
It’s just like sport. I remember a game where we had the team game plan—crystal clear, well thought-out. But it wasn’t landing. So, we threw out the whiteboard and simply asked, “What do you think will work against this weekend’s opposition?”
That session changed everything. The players started owning the plan—because it became their plan.
Here’s something to try this week:
Instead of presenting the answer, ask the question. Get your team’s ideas first—and build from there.
You’ll be surprised how quickly compliance turns into commitment.