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Get Your Projects Approved by Showing Management How They Support their Strategic Plans
It is becoming more and more important for senior management to support the projects, plans and goals of a group, and it is up to the team leader or department head to gain that support. However, in over 10 years of work with change managers, convincing senior management to approve a proposal continues to be a main source of frustration among group managers.
I talked with a number of senior managers in a wide range of public and private organizations in order to find out what my clients could do better to gain their support on a project. I learned there are two things often ignored by team leaders in their presentations. If you are able to incorporate these areas into your proposals, the chance that senior management will support your initiative will be much greater.
Looking For Instant Support
Many executives were frustrated with team leaders who erroneously believe that one proposal should be enough to gain senior level support. In truth, even when the initial proposal seems like a great idea, the support does not come instantaneously.
One government agency executive I spoke with mentioned that it has taken three to four years to build enough support to gain an increase in congressional funding. He used the example to illustrate the fact that managers need to take a more strategic and long-term perspective. He suggested that managers looking for support should:
1. give clear and understandable examples of how your project or proposal will become an asset for the entire organization.
2. Work with co-workers in other departments and groups. Try to find ways to incorporate your goals with the goals of other teams in order to make the best use of company resources.
3. Talk in advance of your proposal to senior management and other stakeholders in the organization. Listen to their ideas and advice. Be willing to change your proposal based on their feedback.
4. Be patient and make your proposal for resources only after you have created a strong enough case and have received informal support from executive management for your ideas.
Failing to Show How the Initiative Fits Into the Big Picture
This is a crucial point when it comes to gaining support. Most executive teams have a vision for the future and a number of strategic goals in place to help the organization realize the vision. You are much more likely to gain support when you show how your team's plan will help to further the strategic goals. Doing this successfully means being able to read between the lines and understand what is important without waiting to be told what to do.
Exactly what can a team leader do to be strategic? I have found that senior management are looking for their group leaders to:
1. Understand the organization's overall priorities.
2. Give constructive suggestions how their group can help the company meet those objectives.
As Scott Eblin writes in "The Next Level", you need to spend time with your senior executives up front to ensure that you understand what success means to them. Remember, though, that at this level, you aren't likely to get specific goals and metrics. Listen for priorities, for key organization-wide metrics, and major barriers or obstacles. Absorb what you hear. Discuss it with your managers. Then come back to your executive with specific plans about what your group or function will do and how you will do it. Be prepared to make adjustments based on input from your executive team at this point.
Gaining senior level support for an initiative that's close to your heart may seem impossible to achieve, but patience in building a case to the executives can bring success. The objective is to always keep in mind the overall goals of the organization and communicate clearly how your project will help to achieve those goals. Next thing you know, your team could become a critical component to a profitable and successful company.
About the Author Wendy Mack is a professional mentor, trainer, and author concentrating on leading and communicating change. Contact Wendy at, or Download her free e-book, Transforming Anxiety into Energy at www.WendyMack.com.
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