As a leader, you need buy-in from your team to succeed. For leadership, “buy-in” is defined as agreement to support a decision. When your team supports your decision or direction, they work towards success. When they don’t, they sabotage your plans in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.

How do you get buy-in?

1. Be trustworthy. More often than not, people will distrust you as a leader. You need to prove to them that you’re honest, progressive, and desirous of their good.

2. Know who’s on your side. It’s easier to get buy-in from those who share your values. And others who are always up for an adventure. So, focus on these types of people first. Don’t waste time trying to convince dissenters or naysayers. Dissenters will never agree with you. Naysayers will never agree with anything. While you want them to understand the direction you’re taking the association, don’t expect buy-in.

3. Present your plan as a win to your listeners. As the saying goes, “Everyone listens to WII FM radio station.” The first thought in your followers’ minds as they listen to you is “What’s In It For Me?” So, tell them how your ideas would benefit them.

4. Educate your people. Don’t assume everyone knows what you’re talking about. Instead, speak in a language a second-grader will grasp. As the popular advice goes, “Tell the people what you’re going to say; say it; then tell them what you told them.”

5. Be consistent. You can fool some of the people some of the time… And those you fooled the first time will not follow you the next time.