Leading a team that is resistant to your leadership can be one of the most challenging aspects of being a leader. Whether you’re taking over an existing team or forming a new one, it’s crucial to win over their trust and support. Without the backing of your team, it becomes incredibly difficult to achieve your goals and drive success.
As an executive coach, I have worked with numerous leaders who have struggled with teams that were initially resistant to their leadership. Through my experience, I have identified several effective strategies that can help leaders overcome this resistance and build a cohesive, high-performing team. Here are the top seven strategies:
Understand the Reasons
Take the time to understand the underlying reasons for your team’s resistance. Is it fear of change, lack of trust, or past negative experiences? By identifying the root causes, you can address them directly and find ways to alleviate their concerns.
Communicate Benefits
Clearly communicate the benefits of the changes you’re proposing or implementing. Help your team understand how these changes will positively impact them, their work, and the organization as a whole. When they see the value in the changes, they are more likely to embrace them.
Involve The Team in the Process
Involve your team in the process of designing, planning, and implementing the changes. Seek their input, ideas, and feedback. When team members feel that their opinions matter and that they have a stake in the outcome, they are more likely to support the changes.
Provide Support and Resources
Ensure that your team has the necessary support and resources to adapt to the changes. Offer training, guidance, and mentoring to help them acquire new skills or adjust to new processes. By providing the right support, you demonstrate your commitment to their success.
Celebrate and Reinforce the Change
Celebrate the milestones, achievements, and successes of your team as they navigate the changes. Recognize and reward their efforts and progress. By celebrating and reinforcing the positive outcomes of the change, you create a sense of momentum and motivation.
Lead with Understanding
Leading a resistant team requires empathy and resilience. Show understanding and compassion for their concerns and challenges. Be resilient in the face of setbacks and continue to lead with a positive attitude. Your empathy and resilience will inspire your team to persevere and adapt.
Build Trust Through Consistency
Consistently demonstrate integrity, fairness, and follow-through in your leadership. Keep your promises, treat team members equitably, and make decisions that align with your stated values. When you consistently show up as a reliable and trustworthy leader, you build trust and credibility with your team.
Winning over a resistant team is a challenging but achievable goal. However, building a cohesive and committed team takes time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it.
Lead From Within: True leadership is about turning barriers into bridges by fostering an environment of trust and respect even with teams that are resistant.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 7 Ways to Keep Your Team Happy and Motivated
- Overcome These Obstacles and Build an Effective Team
- 10 Ways to Make Your Team Feel Appreciated and Important
- This is How Successful Leaders Build Great Teams That Last
- 6 Powerful Habits of The Most Productive Teams
- 12 Stupid Things to Stop Saying to Your Team Immediately
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.