Leaders often have to ask team members to sacrifice their self-interest or to accept uncomfortable changes. Reminding those team members that they are a part of something bigger themselves promotes an alternate perspective that moves them past objections and toward acceptance.
While it is good practice to keep the larger purpose or vision that is bigger than any one person consistently in front of the team, it is during periods of change that it is most impactful. Reminding people they have an obligation to put aside self-interest for the larger good is what change is all about.
Sometimes it is the vision and purpose of the organization that produces a greater good. Other times, what is larger than any individual is the importance of the moment or the collective benefit to the team. Being a part of something bigger is what people crave, but leaders must make the case.
Precisely describing what is bigger than anyone in the room is a requisite skill for all leaders. It is essential for any leader to articulate why they believe in this larger vision so deeply, and how it shapes their view of smaller tasks and sacrifices.
But the timing of both messages is of great importance. The best leaders save the case for why everyone is a part of something bigger than themselves for when they must ask others to adopt unpopular changes or make short-term sacrifices. It is at these moments that team members need to put the requested changes in perspective.
Reminding team members about why they really work so hard and commit to overcoming difficult problems and situations softens any resistance to the need to change or sacrifice. The key is to acknowledge the collective impact of everyone’s contribution.
Being a part of something bigger than yourself means holding the greater good above the benefits for any individual. Describing exactly why this larger pursuit is so important is what good leaders do with great frequency, but especially during times of change.
Team members want to make a positive difference in the world. They recognize that they must sometimes make uncomfortable changes for the greater good. Leaders feed that understanding by giving colleagues the bigger message when sacrifices are needed. Greatness in all dimensions is born from sacrifice for the larger good.
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