Loud does not equal large.

One of the most important things I’ve read in the past several years comes from a short book by Carey Neiuwhof, entitled, Leading Change without Losing It. Available through Amazon.com.

In the pages of this brief, but insightful leadership study, I found the courage and the tools to lead change – not always perfectly, but with a bit more wisdom and insight gleaned from Carey’s experiences. His book still sits on my desk to this day and I often revisit some of the more impactful chapters that have shaped my leadership as we have worked normalize change in the life of our congregation.

One concept that made a tremendous difference for me early on in a season of substantive change at Marine View, came from a chapter called, “Do the Math: Calculate who is actually opposed.” In it, Carey describes the tendency that we have as leaders to mistake loud voices for a large number or for a growing momentum of those opposed to change.

He makes the case that the general breakdown in a group when change is introduced is something more like the following: 10% Early Adopters (those who are quick to get on board and have a high tolerance and love for change). 30% Early Majority (those who aren’t the first in line, but are open to change and generally up for it). 50% Quiet Majority (those who generally go with the group – not opposed to change, but aren’t clamoring for it either – they say things like – ‘If you think that’s the way to go, sure, go for it’).

The last group, the Vocal Opposition, generally make up 10% of the group. That’s 1 in 10. But, Carey makes the point, because they are often so loud and so vehement in their opposition, it feels as if the opposition is much larger than it often actually is. In his experience, the vocal opposition is never as big as we fear or as large as our emotions tell us it might be. The vocal opposition uses phrases like: “I’ve talked to a lot of people and…” “Everyone hates this idea…” “Everyone I’ve talked is against this…” If you listen to these voices, and if you don’t stop to do the math, you can begin to believe there is a growing movement against the change you and your leadership team have proposed.

This is the phrase Carey uses to help us as leaders when facing Vocal Opposition to change: “Loud does not equal large and Volume does not equal velocity.” 

If that’s true – what a relief, right? Remember, it’s probably about 1 in 10.

Carey argues, that if you do the math and you really understand this concept – it will help you lead change and avoid the pitfalls confusing loud with large.

There is a lot at stake here for our churches and our organizations. If we allow the loud voices of vocal opposition to derail needed change or displace new vision in favor of the past – we put our mission at risk. Allowing 10% to dictate our direction through vocal opposition will necessarily come at the expense of the 90% who have varying degrees of openness to needed change in your congregation. But worse even than that, it will come at the expense of the people you are called to reach. Don’t sacrifice the mission for the sake of quieting the 10% opposed to change.

“As you lead through opposition, make sure you stop to do some math. Calculate who is actually opposed. If you let the math, not your emotions, direct your decisions, you will become a more effective leader.”       – Carey Neiuwhof

So do the math. And remember – loud does not equal large and volume does not equal velocity. This is such a crucial concept, one that has shaped my own leadership in a time of substantive change and has helped set our organization up for success over the long run.

Be sure to check out Carey’s book – linked above – if you’re leading change, you’ll benefit from this and the other great insights he offers about leading change. I assure you, it’s worth the read!