We get stuck yelling about cloud security, data models, and excel

Getting someone to “buy-in” has very little to do with the thing itself.

Rather it has to do with purpose and desired outcomes.

See if this sounds familiar:

—> Scene 1: Director of Data – “Hey we are moving to a new analytics and reporting tool. Check it out, it will be great for you”. Stakeholder – “No, I’m good. I like the old one and Excel best”.

—> Scene 2: Data Architect – “We are moving to a cloud data platform. Over the next few months we will be retiring all on-prem databases”. On-prem DBA – “That’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard. The cloud is way too expensive. You are inviting major security liabilities.

—> Scene 3: Data Modeler – “We are moving to dimensional modeling practices across all of our business units”. Finance Manager – “Nah, please just continue to give me everything in a flat file”

—> Scene 4 (from the Nyquist house): Parent – “Alright, it’s time to get ready for bed.” Kid – “No”.

In all of these scenarios, you could make an argument for why one side is an overall better decision. But “overall better decision” is entirely based on what outcome you want.

In scene 1 the stakeholder’s desired outcome might have nothing to do with which reporting tool they use. Their core outcome is to have confidence in their ability to do their job. A new tool threatens that.

In scene 2 the DBA has a core outcome of keeping their job and feeding their family. The cloud isn’t what matters. Their job matters.

In scene 3 the Finance manager's primary focus is on being able to deliver end-of-month reporting accurately and effectively. Changing the format of the data could take her hours longer next month and she just doesn’t have that kind of time.

In scene 4 bed times means no more playing. Playing is fun. Fun is the only goal.

In all these scenarios, you will fight a losing battle if you argue over “the thing”. If we aren’t sharing an objective then we will get stuck yelling about cloud security, data models, or what time the clock says (bedtime). None of those things really matter to the other person.

Shared outcomes are the only way to get buy-in.

I’m here,

Sawyer