It takes courage and practice to adjust a style you have used for years.  Usually the motivator for change comes from frustration or a feeling of hopelessness or a desire to have greater impact.

You may be tired of not getting the results you wanted, and if you’re not careful you may start sounding like a victim.   As a leader you want to have influence and be able to convey what your concerns are.   You may find yourself being frustrated or disappointed that others just ‘don’t get it’.   Allow yourself that 30 seconds of being frustrated, and try an adjustment.

Assess and adapt:

1.  What is the barrier to your message being heard?

• The recipient had no need to hear the message?
• The timing of the message was really inconvenient?
• Your message just ‘cost’ too much – in terms of what it took to fix it.
• Possibly the recipient just needed more information to process.
• Or it could be that they just didn’t trust your assessment.

2.  Did they hear you whining verses a clear message; which focused on the present situation, the options, and your recommendation.

3. Unsure what the real disconnect is…ask and wait for a response, identify the barrier - no need, timing, cost, information or trust - and address their concerns.  It really is just an adjustment or adapting.