What to Do If the New Initiative Will Make Things Worse

Situation

You may be experiencing this if:

• A new initiative is being introduced, and it sounds reasonable on the surface

• You can already see how it will break down in real-world conditions

• You feel a pull to say something — but hesitate

• You worry about being seen as resistant, negative, or not aligned

• The conversation is moving forward, and no one is naming what you’re noticing

• You’re unsure how to speak up without it coming out wrong

In healthcare leadership, these moments are common — and high stakes.

You’re not just managing operations.You’re managing relationships, credibility, and how you’re perceived.

So even when you see something clearly, speaking up can feel risky.

What’s Really Happening

It can feel like you have two choices:

1. Say what you think — and risk being seen as difficult

2. Stay quiet — and deal with the impact later

But there’s a third option.

The key insight from the episode is this:
It’s not about pushing your perspective harder.
It’s about how you enter the conversation.

When you advocate directly (“this won’t work”), people tend to defend.

When you lead with inquiry, you invite thinking.

You shift from being across the table…
to being on the same side of it.

And instead of opposing the idea,
you help the group see what isn’t visible yet.

What Helps

• Lead with curiosity, not correction

  Instead of stating the problem, ask into it.

  For example: “How do you see this playing out when…?”

  This opens the conversation instead of closing it.

• Bring the idea into real life

  Help move from concept to reality.

  For example: “Can we walk through what this would look like on a typical day?”

  Gaps often become clear when applied to real conditions.

• Stay on the same side of the table

  Acknowledge what works — while widening the lens.

  For example: “This makes sense from a standardization standpoint. I want to make sure we’re also thinking about how this impacts…”

  This keeps you aligned while still raising the concern.

• Ask questions that reveal assumptions

  Surface what may be unintentionally overlooked.

  For example:

  • “What assumptions are we making here?”

  • “Are we assuming full staffing or consistent experience levels?”

  This helps the group think more clearly — without putting you in opposition.

• Trust what you’re noticing

  If something feels off, there’s usually a reason.

  You don’t need to push harder to prove it.

  You can help others see it.

You don’t have to choose between staying silent and being seen as difficult.

Listen to the podcast episode

 🎧 When a New Initiative Is Coming—And You Know It’s Going To Make Things Worse (Ep. 64)