How to Motivate the People You Need

Work to win over those key people who aren't enthusiastically behind you or who for some reason may feel threatened by you and your vision.

To ensure that your vision is embraced and fulfilled, you have to pay attention to the people around you--those who will help and those who may hinder your progress. Take care to handle both the political and the personal sides of leading and implementing your vision.

Know who could hinder you or help you. Take the time necessary to identify those who might resist you in some way--for example, by blocking your access to needed resources. Plan how you will deal with such problems. Work to win over those key people who aren't enthusiastically behind you or who for some reason may feel threatened by you and your vision.

An effective leader has to be a persuasive communicator. Building coalitions is when this skill becomes particularly useful. You will need cooperation from people at all levels of your organization and beyond.

Choose carefully whom you assign to important roles. People in key positions need to be competent in their roles and loyal to your vision.

If the changes you are making are significant, then make sure everyone is involved and understands what's happening. If you are realigning the company's organizational structure, for example, do it quickly and fairly.

You may not be able to make dramatic changes simultaneously. There may be technical or political barriers. But even if you can make only small changes that show success, you'll be on your way. Any movement toward your vision should be noted as positive.

ACTION POINT: Pay close attention to the politics, people and progress that are necessary for pursuing your vision.