EPISODE 320

Why “Buy-In” is a trap

Biggest Takeaways You Don't Want to Miss:
  • Staff “buy-in” is a trap. If they can buy in, they can also sell out.
  • Most staff “Buy-in” is just enthusiastic compliance.
  • Staff Alignment means everyone is clear on what matters, what success looks like, and what role they play in achieving it.
  • Buy-in is fragile. It’s based on personality, preferences, and whether or not something ‘feels good.’ But the moment the work gets hard? People will sell out. 
  • False buy-in feels worse than resistance because it tricks you into thinking you have momentum when all you have is compliance. 

For years, I believed that staff buy-in was the key to real school transformation. I thought that if I could just get everyone excited, inspired, and on board, the work would take care of itself.

But I was wrong.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why buy-in isn’t just ineffective, it’s actually a trap. Because if someone can buy in, they can also sell out. And that’s exactly what’s happening in schools everywhere. One minute your team’s nodding along, and the next they’re doing the opposite of what you agreed to.

You’re not crazy. You’re not doing it wrong. You’ve just been chasing the wrong goal.

I’ll show you what to aim for instead and why it’s the only path to a staff that moves with you, not against you.

If you’re tired of begging people to care and ready to lead with clarity, this episode will show you how.

Let’s stop selling the vision and start building it #LikeABuilder.

Check out these highlights:
  • What buy-in is actually costing your school (and why you haven’t noticed until now)
  • Why your most “on-board” staff members are the first to abandon the work
  • How the chase for consensus creates burnout—and what to build instead
  • The subtle difference between emotional compliance and structural alignment
  • What changes when you stop selling your vision and start building it #LikeABuilder
Links mentioned in this episode:

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