Winning Over a Divided Team - Insights From a Motivational Speaker

When a team is divided on project direction, your job isn’t to make everyone happy—it’s to make the best decision and keep things moving forward. So, let’s stop calling them stakeholders and start calling them what they are: people.

Step one: Listen. Instead of pushing your perspective right away, say, "Give me your best arguments." Let them feel heard. When people know their input matters, they’re more likely to respect the final decision—even if they don’t agree with it.

Step two: Be direct. Say, "Here’s the thing. I have to make a decision, which means 50% of you will be happy, and 50% will be frustrated with me. I get that. You can be angry for a few days, but then let’s draw a line under it and move forward to bigger and better things."

Leadership isn’t about avoiding conflict—it’s about managing it with clarity and confidence. Listen, decide, and keep your team focused on progress.