Building Buy-In for Decisions

To gain the best possible buy-in among stakeholders, it is best to include them in not only in evaluating choices but also in defining the decision criteria. The criteria drive the rest of the decision process so it is important to spend adequate time letting decision makers own the criteria and the decision by letting them create it. If decision makers are expressing a lot of concerns about a decision making process, spend 30 minutes to an hour letting them express their concerns and make sure they are documented in a parking lot with action items for when and how they will be addressed. When people offer their concerns, be prepared to ask them for their recommended solution to the situation. By making people the owners of their own decision process, they will gain confidence that their input not only is valued, but that it has been clearly articulated as part of the decision making process.