We’re the Villain

When we wonder why no one is on board with our idea or plan, it’s because we’re the villain. We’re the antagonist in everyone else’s stories. We have to reframe the story so that it’s no longer seen as person vs. person (us vs. them) or person vs. self (them vs. them). We can’t win those battles. Instead, we must frame the story as person vs. environment (us vs. something we must change together). Until we are able to successfully reframe the story, however, being the antagonist is actually a good thing. When we listen carefully, we learn what people’s resistance and objections are. We can address the resistance and objections. When we do, we end up with a better plan. We get more buy-in. We become a team, and the team becomes the protagonist. Now others will fight for idea or plan instead of against it.