Getting agreement

On a roll. It has been a difficult last 10 days, receiving negative comments third hand and getting mixed messages about some work requirements. Today was the show down with the project sponsor. I believed I had delivered the best I could with the resources available, my aim was to get agreement with the Sponsor as to how we finish the work and meet their requirements. I was determined to have a positive meeting and had been focussing on getting the 'right result'.

Yesterday had been some pre work to get an ally ready to provide extra support. As the meeting started, I sat down with my ally who was ready to fight my corner. During the preamble and pleasantries, I matched and mirrored the sponsor. In particular, I matched their breathing. As I matched and mirrored, I looked out for any signs for stress in their body language and when possible, moved to positions that indicated a relaxed and calm state. (For a fab insight into body language and the amazing insight you get look up "What every body is saying" by Joe Navarro)

I also listened to the words they used.

"The primary goal is to share the knowledge and experience gained from the project".

Now that is big chunk thinking. Also, that was a goal I had been working toward. From that point, I knew that if I framed the work I had done against the highest intention of the sponsor, I was sure I could get agreement with them to an approach finishing off the loose ends of the project.

Smooth as. A final handshake ended the meeting. Afterwards, my colleagues noted how smoothly it had gone. I do not think they understood the idea of perception is projection [of a great outcome], or, as deBono would say 'putting on the hat of someone else' to understand their model of the world.

Now that is a win!