[Youth-outreach] Three Ways to Transform Ideas into ImpactfulChange

[John Bailey]

Hi Mike,

You're perfectly right. Also, I would add that you need to speak in the language of the people you're trying to influence. Are they detail people? Are they touchy-feely warm and fuzzy people?

Have a great holiday everyone.

JB


Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 31, 2011, at 9:29 AM, "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:

> John:
> 
> An excellent post. I'm going to relay it to the NFB of Washington list, minus these comments.
> 
> The one thing I would add is that one should also really *listen* to the arguments of those who oppose one. Their arguments might well have merit and one may not have considered them in crafting one's proposal. If they can be satisfactorily answered, the proposal will be the better for it.
> 
> Mike Freeman, President
> National Federation of the Blind of Washington
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: youth-outreach-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:youth-outreach-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of John Bailey
> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 6:21 PM
> To: Youth outreach projects Support List
> Subject: [Youth-outreach] Three Ways to Transform Ideas into ImpactfulChange
> 
> A few years ago, I had a great idea for my local National Federation of the
> Blind of Virginia chapter as to how we could raise the thousands of dollars
> we needed to continue our good work.  After doing a lot of research and
> collecting the relevant facts, I decided it was time to present my idea to
> the group.  If I do say so, it was brilliant and I patted myself on my back
> for having come up with it.
> 
> After giving a well thought out presentation about my great idea, I waited
> for the praise and ready acceptance of my initiative. I was greatly
> disappointed. You would have thought I had suggested ransoming cuddly
> kittens as a fund raiser for the acceptance it got. I was crushed. However,
> I learned a great lesson that I use today. The steps I will outline below
> for turning good ideas into winning ones can be used by anyone who wants to
> overcome the obstacle of getting his ideas across in any organization
> successfully.
> 
> Step 1:  Recognize what changes would come from your new idea. Reluctance to
> change is a natural emotional response to new ideas. You have to make the
> fear associated with change as painless as possible. Doing things the same
> way is known and therefore safe. Altering how we do things involves the
> unknown and is risky. Most people are risk adverse. That is, unless there is
> overwhelming good that can be achieved by making those changes.
> 
> Identify what changes would occur if your ideas were implemented and be
> prepared to discuss the overwhelming good that would occur from taking
> action.
> 
> Step 2:  Identify the opinion leaders in your organization, and cultivate
> them as idea allies. Each organization has one or more individuals in its
> group who seem to have more than their share of influence in determining the
> direction of the organization. Their power may come from the formal
> structure of the organization, such as them holding an elected office.
> Their influence may arise from a non-formal position they have, such as the
> eldest or most knowledgeable member.
> 
> Recognize who these people are and get them to buy-in to your idea.  It is
> much more productive to influence a few opinion leaders to your point of
> view over time than it is to try to change the minds of an entire room of
> people in just a few minutes of speaking.
> 
> Step 3:  Continue pushing your ideas even if they are rejected. If your idea
> has merit, then there is no reason that today’s rejection can’t turn into
> tomorrow’s acceptance.  Again, people are reluctant to change.  Giving them
> time to absorb your ideas also gives them time to overcome their knee-jerk
> emotion-based reasons for saying "No," and replacing them with the more
> rational thinking that will lead them to “Yes.”
> 
> Good Ideas do not become great ones overnight. Introducing someone or an
> entire organization to a new way of thinking involves changes, and people
> emotionally reject change.  That is, unless or until they see the benefits
> of the change, and this may take time.  Get the opinion leaders on your
> side, and you will be as prepared as you can to turn a good idea into a
> winning one.  And, don’t give up!
> 
> John Bailey is NFBV State Membership Chair and assists local chapters reach
> their growth goals by teaching simple techniques for energizing current
> chapters as well as developing potential membership. If you would like John
> to speak at your local chapter, give him a call at 703.994.2040 or email him
> at John_Bailey17 at hotmail.com to set up a date.
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Youth-outreach mailing list
> Youth-outreach at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/youth-outreach_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Youth-outreach:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/youth-outreach_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Youth-outreach mailing list
> Youth-outreach at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/youth-outreach_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Youth-outreach:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/youth-outreach_nfbnet.org/john_bailey17%40hotmail.com