Let’s talk about a phrase that’s all too common in leadership—one that signals a bar set far too low, even if that’s not the leader’s intention.
What is it?
“Buy-in.”
When leaders say, “I need my team to ‘buy-in’ on XYZ,” they may not actually mean it in the simplest sense. Most likely, they want engagement, support, or enthusiasm. But by using the word ‘buy-in,’ they unintentionally signal that mere compliance is enough.
And compliance is the lowest level of involvement. It’s about avoiding resistance or quieting objections, not inspiring energy or driving meaningful disruption. If you’re aiming to lead change, to disrupt the status quo, and to accomplish extraordinary things, you can’t afford to set the bar at ‘buy-in.’
Disruption thrives on commitment, not compliance.It requires people to go beyond agreement and bring their minds, hearts, and creativity to the challenge. When you ask for ‘buy-in,’ you’re signaling that you’re okay with your team doing the bare minimum—just going along with the plan. That’s not how you drive the kind of innovation and transformation disruption demands.
For several years, I led The Disruption Projectat Vanderbilt University. My team and I studied 350 disruptors, from household names to unsung heroes, uncovering how they achieved remarkable success in the face of disruption. That research revealed a clear truth: the most impactful leaders don’t stop at compliance. They inspire their teams to raise the bar and use disruption to clear it.
If you want to lead in ways that truly harness the power of disruption, you need to shift your language—and your expectations:
– “How can I make this an opportunity my team is excited to champion?”
– “What can I do to inspire full engagement and ownership for this effort?”
– “How can we disrupt the way we approach problems for better results?”
By aiming higher, you’re inviting your team to take real ownership of the disruption. When people feel invested, they become disruptors themselves, working with passion and purpose to deliver exceptional outcomes.
I’ve harnessed these insights into a compelling presentation to inspire your teams to set the bar high and use disruption to achieve extraordinary results. Learn more about having me work with your team or present at your next event by contacting Michele Lucia.
Don’t settle for ‘buy-in.’ Lead with disruption—and watch what’s possible.
Make it a great day!
Patrick
