
You’re working on a new plan or strategy that’s set to solve a key problem or create value for your business—fantastic. You’ve put in the time, thought, and effort to craft something that you believe will make a significant difference. But now, just as you’re starting to move forward, you’re encountering pushback from your team, peers, or leadership. What do you do? Do you stay the course, make adjustments, or abandon ship altogether?
The Importance of Pushback
The first thing to recognise is that pushback isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it’s often a sign that your idea or strategy is important enough to get people thinking. If nobody had anything to say about your plan—no feedback, no questions, no criticisms—it could be a red flag. A lack of pushback might indicate one of two things: either people don’t care about what you’re working on, or you haven’t articulated the value of your strategy effectively. Both of these scenarios are problematic.
If no one cares, it’s possible that your plan doesn’t address an urgent enough issue or isn’t aligned with the company’s larger goals. On the other hand, if you’ve failed to communicate the potential impact of your strategy, it may simply be misunderstood. Neither situation is desirable, and both require you to rethink how you’re presenting your ideas.
So, when you receive pushback, take a moment to appreciate it. It means people are engaged and paying attention. The key now is to work with that feedback and use it to refine your approach.
Treat Pushback as Valuable Feedback
If you’re convinced that your strategy will make a positive difference for the business, then the pushback you’re receiving is simply feedback. Rather than seeing it as an obstacle, consider it an opportunity to improve your plan. Criticism, when handled well, can help you identify blind spots or areas where your thinking might be unclear.
Start by listening carefully to the concerns being raised. Are people worried about resources, timing, or alignment with other company goals? Or do they have specific objections about how your strategy might play out in practice? Take note of the feedback, and where appropriate, use it to make adjustments that could strengthen your plan.
It’s essential to distinguish between constructive criticism and unhelpful negativity. Some feedback will be incredibly useful, pushing you to think deeper or consider things you hadn’t thought of. Other pushback might be based on personal biases or resistance to change. Learn to filter out the noise and focus on the insights that will genuinely help improve your strategy.
Avoid Consensus Decision-Making
One of the most important things to avoid when dealing with pushback is the temptation to try and gain consensus on every decision. Consensus, or making decisions based on what the majority agrees on, is often seen as a way to keep everyone happy. But when it comes to strategy, it can lead to mediocrity.
Why? Because trying to make everyone happy usually results in watered-down decisions. To achieve consensus, you often have to make compromises that dilute the boldness or innovation in your plan. You end up pleasing everyone just enough, but not making the significant impact that the business really needs. Consensus can lead to safe, uncontroversial decisions that don’t push the business forward in a meaningful way.
Similarly, using a “majority rules” approach—where the most popular option wins—can be equally detrimental. Just because the majority agrees on something doesn’t mean it’s the best course of action. In fact, some of the most groundbreaking strategies are initially unpopular or misunderstood. If Steve Jobs had relied on consensus or majority rule, would Apple have created the iPhone? Bold, transformative ideas often challenge the status quo, and they might not be immediately embraced by everyone.
The Role of Leadership in Strategic Decisions
It’s crucial to remember that leadership plays a key role in strategic decision-making. Leaders are not there to be popular; they’re there to guide the company in the right direction, even if it means making tough or unpopular decisions. When you believe in your strategy, and the data supports it, you must have the courage to stand by it, despite the pushback.
That doesn’t mean ignoring feedback or being inflexible, but it does mean not being swayed by the need to get everyone on board. Instead, focus on the long-term impact of your strategy. If it’s truly in the best interest of the business, those who initially resisted may come around once they see the results.
How to Navigate Pushback Effectively
So how do you effectively navigate pushback without falling into the trap of consensus or majority rules? Here are a few steps to consider:
- Acknowledge concerns: Let your team know that you’ve heard their feedback and appreciate their input. This fosters a sense of inclusion and respect.
- Reiterate the vision: Remind everyone of the bigger picture—what you’re trying to achieve and why it’s important. This helps refocus the discussion on the ultimate goals.
- Adjust where necessary: If the pushback reveals valid concerns, be willing to make adjustments. However, ensure these changes strengthen your strategy rather than diluting it.
- Be decisive: At the end of the day, someone needs to make the final decision. Leadership requires decisiveness, and the best strategies come from bold, informed decisions—not from trying to make everyone happy.
Conclusion
Pushback is a natural part of the strategy creation process. Rather than seeing it as an obstacle, recognise it as an indication that your plan is important and worth refining. Use the feedback to strengthen your approach, but avoid falling into the trap of seeking consensus or majority approval. Bold, effective strategies often challenge the status quo and require strong leadership to see them through. Stay focused on the long-term goals, and let pushback sharpen your strategy, not derail it.
Contact evince Consulting today to see how we can help you.