How to get stakeholder buy-in: 3 simple strategies that work

You walk into an internal meeting, ready to pitch your brilliant idea to senior leadership.

You’ve spent hours rehearsing it in your head, and you’re sure it’s going to land.

But then, as you present it to the group…crickets.

No one’s biting. Maybe a few raised eyebrows, but no green light.

Frustrating, right?

Here’s the thing: People need to weigh in to buy in.

It’s called the IKEA effect. Basically, when you’ve had a hand in building something, you value it more.

In one experiment, participants were willing to pay 63% more for an IKEA box they assembled themselves. Why? Because they helped create it.

Same goes for ideas at work. When people feel involved, they’re more likely to support the outcome.

You want that “yes”? The work starts before the meeting even happens.

👉 The Problem

Waiting until a big meeting to unveil your idea usually leads to questions or pushback.

The issue? You didn’t give anyone a heads up. When people haven’t had a chance for the information to sink in, they push back or start nitpicking the idea.

But with a little pre-meeting groundwork, that can quickly change.

👉 The Big Small Thing

Here’s how to pre-seed the idea like a pro (and actually get your ideas approved):

1. Get feedback 1:1 before the big meeting.

People open up more in private, so grab time with a few key players before the group meeting. If there are 7 leaders in the meeting, grab 2-3 of them. Challenge yourself to meet with the ones who will be the toughest critics.

Script: “Hi [Name], I’m presenting these 9 slides in your upcoming team meeting and would love your take. Could we grab 15 minutes beforehand, so I can get your feedback on how it will land?”

Why it works:
​They feel involved early, and you can tweak things before objections hit in a setting where groupthink might set in.

2. Adjust based on feedback.

Tell them you’ve incorporated their ideas.

Script: “Thanks for your input, [Name]. I’ve made some changes based on what we talked about. I really think it’s stronger now, and I can’t wait to share it with the team—with your input included.”

Why it works:
​When people see their ideas reflected in the project, they’re more invested. It becomes their idea too, and they’re more likely to support it.

3. Sneak in a “listening slide.”

During the presentation, toss in a slide that indicates you’re still open to feedback. This invites more input and shows you value collaboration. It also lets you catch your breath if you are nervous while you present.

Slide example:
​“What do you see as the biggest opportunity here?” or “How can we make this even better?” That’s it. Just that one question in giant font on a slide.

Why it works:
​People love being asked for their thoughts, and it makes you look like a leader who listens.

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How This Helps You Chase What You Want

When people feel like they’ve weighed in, they’re more likely to buy in.

The best part? You’ll get fewer objections, and your idea will have a better chance of getting approved.

So next time, don’t wait for the big pitch.

Do the behind-the-scenes work, and watch things go your way.