# It's Not That I'm Against It, But... By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2025-02-07 In meetings, there is an interesting ploy some people use to situate their position. The approach is to state, “It’s not that I’m against (fill in position here), but (fill in the list of things to do here).” This person often couches the opposition in terms that it seems the idea hasn’t been researched enough or that a given idea requires more thought. In short, whatever the idea is, it needs more research and development. Such an approach is often disingenuous. Sometimes, the person is firmly against the idea but doesn’t want to take a confrontational approach. Other times, the person is against the idea being implemented (not necessarily on philosophical grounds) and simply wants the idea to die under the weight of it being studied to death. One doesn’t have to kill an idea for it to die. A lack of momentum can prevent almost any organizational change from being implemented. There are many potential responses to this ploy. One could simply respond with the position that this concept has been studied enough, that the time for implementation is now, and that any shortcoming with the idea can be addressed as part of the implementation. Another approach is to have the individual critiquing the proposal to list the specific concerns. Critiques tend to be vague. For example, the person might simply indicate that the study needs further research and definition. One might turn it around and ask the person to define what is required. If the person can’t, then one can reply that the critique seems too vague to delay implementation. Overcoming resistance is challenging. It is even more complicated when the individual hides behind rhetoric designed to delay. Those attempting to implement change should expect a variety of forms of resistance. Effectively responding to these forms of resistance separates good ideas from actual accomplishments. #### Related Items [[Meetings]] [[Argumentation]] [[Ideas]] [[Obstacles]] [[Strategy]] [[Resistance]] [[Rhetoric]]