Our world has changed psychologically, and specifically because of social media. What do I mean by that? Go back with me twenty years ago, before social media existed. There was a cultural understanding that if you were sitting in a room and you did not hold a position of leadership, you did not have a say. Generally, we were okay with that. We understood that. It's just how the world worked. But today, that's not how people think. 

Everyone, especially the younger workforce, because of social media, has a voice and a platform for that voice. They're used to being heard and therefore they think they should be heard. If you hire an eighteen-year old intern today they think they have a say tomorrow. You might not agree with that. You might even think that's really stupid. 

That's the problem. 

People support what they help create

We want people to be committed at the point of implementation. If you think that commitment happens to the point of implementation, you're missing the boat. Commitment actually happens at the point of creation. People need to be involved. They need a sense of ownership. The pushback I get from leaders is that it takes too long. I agree with you. It does take a long time. 

I'm not saying that in your organization, every single person needs to be involved in every decision that is made. But what I am asking you is, do your people feel heard? Do they feel like they have a voice? Do they feel like they have a say?

I’ve heard leaders say they want people who have independent thinking, I agree with that. But if that independent thinking is never listened-to or acted upon, that stifles that independent thinking pretty quickly. People support what they help create. We have to create buy-in by engaging and involving our people. The best leaders understand how to do that.