Get Them On Your Side
by Samuel B. Bacharach
Know people approaches (agenda) then rally them based on their characteristics: Four Approaches (not absolute - some have mixes): Tinkerer vs. Overhauler + Planning vs. Improvising:
- Tinkerer + Planner = Traditionalist Agenda
- Tinkerer + Improviser = Adjuster Agenda
- Overhauler + Planner = Developer Agenda
- Overhauler + Improviser = Revolutionary Agenda
A good idea is not enough, you need political competence:
1) Map the Political Terrain
- Analyze Goals & Approaches (Tinker, Overhaul, Plan, Improvise)
- Understand their agendas
- Identify allies & resources
2) Get Them on Your Side**
- Create Your Coalition
- Establish Your Credibility
- Get Initial Support
- Justify Your Action
3) Make Things Happen
- Get the Buy-In
- Put Your Ideas in Place
- Lead the Coalition
**NB: This is where the “consensus builder” stops, but without step 3, then nothing gets done. “You need to get people mobilized if you want this thing off the ground.” A true politically competence leader pulls all three components together.