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Change for Progress

Four tips that will help relay it

By Greta Schulz

Recently, I was at a governmental affairs meeting in West Palm Beach. The discussion was about changes in the city: transportation, creating local clusters, more biking opportunities and so forth. 

Some people at the meeting were part of the original committee that put this together. Of course, they all were behind the ideas brought forth. But others were hearing some of these ideas for the first time and, frankly, most were pooh-poohing them. That’s human nature.

Opening yourself to new ideas—good or bad—is all a part of getting comfortable. Most people aren’t totally comfortable with new ideas, especially if they’re radical ideas.

What does this mean for business leaders? Since the commonly cited definition of insanity entails doing something repeatedly and expecting different results, how do we do something fresh and get our team on board with it?

Getting people to engage in ideas and conversation is one of the best ways to accomplish change.  No one likes to be dictated to, and being told that something will change—even though that’s often our responsibility as leaders.

Using brainstorming techniques to present an issue, and allowing the group to share ideas and responses without judgment, often will illicit new ideas as well as allow you to present yours successfully.

Some ideas:

• Relay the backstory: Why are you looking to make this change? Talk about the reasons for the change, not how you want to do it just yet. When people understand the whys, they tend to be more open to the hows.

• Have patience: Leaders tend to rush to answers without allowing others to get there organically. Most leaders often are open to new, innovative ideas, but others aren’t necessarily that way.  Ask your people good questions to get them to open up, talk about solutions, and learn the whys of their ideas as well as opposed to just pushing yours.

• Be open: If you are open to other ideas and not stuck on your own, often you will find a better one in front of you. Be open to that and don’t assume yours is always the best.

• Summarize and review: That lets your people know they’ve been heard. It is important to go into a brainstorming session with an idea as well as an open mind. Make sure everyone’s participation counts. Review all ideas once they have been given. You will have more acceptance from your people when they feel part of the change process, not ordered to implement it.

• Remember: Most people don’t like change, at least at the beginning. Approach it properly, and you will have a better chance of having agreement rather than a mutiny. ♦

Greta Schulz is president of Schulz Business, a sales consulting and training firm. She is the best-selling author of “To Sell is NOT to Sell” and works with Fortune 1000 companies and entrepreneurs. For more information or free sales tips, go to schulzbusiness.com and sign up for “GretaNomics,” a weekly video tip series, or email sales questions to greta@schulzbusiness.com.

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Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.