Chapter 6
What Is the Water Cooler Talk about Your Proposed Change?
Rumors are like ripples in a cornfield. They are ephemeral, but they do indicate which way the wind is blowing.
—Susan J. Palmer
“Water cooler talk” is a great metaphor for what colleagues think and say when not pressured to toe the company line, and understanding such uncensored beliefs will enable you to amplify positive perceptions and refute negative ones. Shaped by past experiences, beliefs are part of your organization's culture. They are expressed through hero and horror stories alike, and while positive stories lead to greater receptivity to new projects, horror stories lead to apprehension.
Numerous companies fall into the pattern of starting many initiatives but successfully ...
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