Converting Skeptics with Consistency

Jamie Flinchbaugh of the Lean Learning Center in Novi, MI published a column Consistency Erodes Skepticism in Assembly Magazine this month.

Skeptics and naysayers can be annoying at best and destructive at worst, but Jamie reminds us that they play an important role in any change management process: "Here’s the great news about skeptics. When they do turn in your favor, they become a much more powerful force for change than you may ever be."

I especially appreciated his advice to take the time to learn from skeptics but to keep the team focused on making forward progress. The skeptics will come around when they see that the team sets achieveable goals - and then achieves them - consistently.