Board buy in to support the rising cost of living

Change cannot happen without new ideas. Change can bring challenges for an organisation therefore, it's vital that senior management can support and back up the ideas in order to enact the changes. Working this way can support and enable new ideas to come to life.

Follow these steps to get buy in from your board or senior managers:

Have a clear vision

Ensuring you have a clear vision tells other you believe in the success of your idea and understand the steps needed to get there. When presenting your idea you may be asked to share more information so have the following information to hand:

• examples of where the same/similar idea has been successful
• reasoning that supports the idea
• supporting data
• ideas on the possible outcomes.

Invite others to share 

Inviting others to share comments on the idea can ensure they are made to feel part of the process and more likely to get on board. You can do this by:

• Giving information that will help your audience to understand the idea.
• Being prepared and answer all questions to the best of your ability.
• Acknowledging potential criticism.
• Asking the right questions.
• Leaving time for your audience to reflect and check back in at a later date as they may have more questions or thoughts.

Share progress

When there are any updates or some progress made, share it. Keeping your audience updated about the progress reinforces that they are part of the vision, whether this be positive or negative updates.

Good practice examples

Caroline Haynes, chief people officer from Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust has shared her key points to remember as well as tips on gaining board buy in:

• Find a sponsor. On your board, who is most invested and/of interested in the topic?
• Understand your data. Who can help you get and analyse the data you need?
• Create opportunities:
  • go to the meetings
  • get in front of the right people
  • get on the agenda
  • bring your ideas to life
  • be brave
  • understand finance and where to find it
  • use your hospital charity
  • speak with NHS England as they have money available for wellbeing
  • gain a contact in your ICB
  • is there any assigned money you can repurpose, for example, for travel.