A 5-1 score suggests that you need support from this person or group—you need people to say yes when you ask for their help—but you are likely to get active opposition working against your idea. You’ve also indicated that yes, you are willing to be influenced by them. If this description fits the challenge facing you, then consider the following suggestions to get started.

• You must know why they are going to resist you so strongly. This is not a time for guesswork. You truly need to know the real reasons for their strong opposition. Do you know the extent to which
  • they understand what you are proposing—or not?
  • they are afraid of what this idea could mean to them?
  • they don’t trust you or those who you represent?
  If you don’t know how to get answers to those questions, then please read The Magic List. It is a short e-book that will show you how to gather that critical information. (There is a link below.)
• Now that you know why they are resisting you, use that data to find ways in which you might be able to work together on issues that concern both of you.
• Start small. Even though you need them to be a 5, go for 4, which is simply showing interest in the idea or project. It is much easier to get people interested in what you’re saying than it is for them to agree to do something new. Once they are interested, then complete the assessment again and answer by saying that you need them to be a 5, but today they are only a 4. By the way, moving their energy from 1 to 4 is a big deal. A score of 4 indicates that their energy is now on the support side of The Energy Bar™. That move should make conversations about this topic much easier, not to mention the reduction of acid baths whenever you think of them. (And they probably will appreciate the reduction in reflux as well!)

Resources

The Magic List. A free e-book that will help you identify why people might be resisting you, and show you how to build on the support you do have and work effectively with whatever resistance you are facing. More

Why Resistance Matters is a four-page article that describes three levels of support and resistance. More

The Energy Bar™ Group
It’s most likely that you’re here because you need to gain support from a team, a full organization, or one key person - possibly for a one-time project, an idea that you'd like to see come to life, or maybe for a large-scale organization change. Keep the momentum going and join The Energy Bar™ Group. Our informal online group is where I share my very best work and resources, with examples of people using The Energy Bar™ effectively in organizations. It’s a place for you to connect with peers, ask questions and offer your own ideas. Our group is free to join, and you can opt out easily at any time. I hope you’ll consider joining me. – Rick Maurer