Success means Building “Buy In” at All Levels

Successful teams have support. Whether you’re trying to build a team within your agency, organization or community, you will need “buy in” at multiple levels.

• Bottom-up Buy in
  The “bottom-up”approach builds buy in at the “worker-bee” level. This formation includes peers recognizing the need to support one another and willing to commit themselves to training and providing support services.
• Top-down Buy in
  The “top-down” approach builds buy in at the leadership level. Leaders recognize the need for employees to feel supported and safe within the organization. Realizing that peer programs are a cost-effective way to provide a positive work environment, leaders call for a peer and crisis support program. Often times, programs are implemented in reaction to a tragic event – resulting in leadership committing resources for both prevention and intervention services.

No matter the approach, the goal is to garner support and commitment from all involved. Leadership must support through policy implementation, resource allocation, and positive promotion (to name a few). While peers must support by volunteering, receiving training and adhering to core values of confidentiality and professionalism (to name a few).

To build sufficient buy in:

1. Identify the need – that is the why you need a peer and crisis support team.
2. Bring together stakeholders – to include those supportive and those hesitant of implementing this program (ex. management, attorneys, finance/budget, etc.).
3. Share with the them “why” – to include relevant facts specific to the needs of your population.
4. Openly discuss barriers, challenges and outcomes for a fully implemented program.
5. Measure outcomes and be wiling to adjust accordingly.

For more on building buy in, email info@crisissupportsolutions.com to set up a free call.