In business, where differentiation is highly valued, the true essence of impactful change lies in finding common ground. While standing out may create a dedicated following, attracting and uniting a broader audience necessitates a focus on shared values and accessible ideas. This approach — of finding “common ground” — is crucial for driving meaningful transformations.
Embracing this philosophy, the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University introduces its online Master of Business Administration (MBA) concentration in Management and Change program, which prepares leaders to navigate the complexities of rapid global changes and organizational dynamics.
What Is Common Ground?
Finding common ground is not just a tactic for making decisions or solving problems within a group. It is an essential way of understanding each other, deeply rooted in shared values and leadership behaviours.
This concept arises from a rich blend of mindsets, environmental shifts and deliberate strategies grounded in the organizational values that shape an organization’s culture. It is about creating a shared space where different perspectives unite, enabling a collective journey towards a focused vision. In this space, diversity is not only acknowledged but also seen as a collective strength that offers a broad view of the world. As a result, common ground is the foundation that supports all collaboration and shared learning.
Compromise Is Critical, Especially at the Top Levels of Leadership
Compromise is a vital skill for every leader, not just those at the top. It helps blend team members’ and clients’ different expectations and needs into plans that work for everyone. Making decisions often means finding a middle path that aligns with the company’s big-picture goals. Compromise also creates a team culture where people feel valued and heard, which is imperative for sparking new ideas and solving problems together.
Being able to shift gears and adapt strategies in response to new market challenges is another place where compromise makes a difference. This flexibility ensures efficient resource distribution, so every part of the organization gets what it needs without stretching too thin. It is also about handling relationships with everyone outside the organization, from partners to the public, with enough give to maintain a good reputation and build trust. At its core, compromise keeps the organization moving smoothly toward shared goals.
Establishing Common Ground Among Stakeholders
Effective change management begins with a pivotal shift from focusing on the unique values that create ardent followers to embracing shared values that welcome a wider audience. Finding a common entry point for everyone is a challenging but critical step.
Understanding and leveraging opposition is a key strategy in this process. Change often faces resistance because it threatens the status quo, prompting some to actively undermine progress. Engaging with this opposition directly is less productive than observing and listening. In trying to sway the same audience a leader aims to inspire, critics inadvertently reveal shared values that can be the cornerstone of transformative change.
By focusing on these shared values and learning to appreciate the critical perspectives of the most vocal detractors, leaders can uncover flaws early on, refine their approaches and find that opposition efforts may drive people towards the cause as they overextend and discredit themselves. This approach has proven effective across diverse fields, from historical social movements to modern corporate environments.
Building Consensus Through Effective Communication
As they help to drive organizational change, leaders face the challenge of guiding their teams through uncertainty, fear and resistance. It is essential to approach these emotions with empathy, demonstrating understanding and reassuring team members that their contributions are crucial for the future. By embodying the role of a compassionate guide, leaders can navigate these complex times effectively, ensuring that every individual feels supported and valued.
Communication is the backbone of establishing common ground in any successful change initiative. Creating a culture of openness and transparency encourages vital dialogue, making everyone feel like part of the process. Regular town hall meetings and one-on-one sessions offer platforms for expressing concerns and providing feedback, which fosters a sense of belonging and investment in the change. Storytelling and sharing success stories highlight the journey’s positive aspects, helping to build a shared vision that resonates with everyone.
This approach — taught in Carleton’s online Change Management MBA program — helps leaders to value diverse perspectives and strengths, laying the groundwork for a unified approach and an innovative future.
Learn more about Carleton University’s online MBA concentration in Management and Change program.