How do I win over my most reluctant employees?

Every organization with enough employees will have some of these tough nuts, and it can be frustrating to spend all your time trying to crack them.

So, here's a simple (but effective) solution: stop trying.

No, I don't mean you should stop motivating your employees. I don't mean you should stop explaining new safety initiatives. And I certainly don't mean you should just put your shoes up on the desk and stop doing your job.

What I mean is that you're not using your time and effort as efficiently as you could. It's understandable – we all want 100% acceptance and participation, and getting it would make the workplace that much safer and more productive. But you won't get it by trying to cajole the handful of naysayers who don't want to hear what you have to say.

You see, when someone puts up a defensive front, they're not going to be open to the things you have to say. There's no point trying to attack those defenses head on. Like a good military strategist, you need to spend less time attacking the front and focus on attacking the flanks. You can do that by focusing your efforts and energy on improving the workplace culture overall (for related advice, see 7 Superb Psychological Tactics for EHS Training).

Spend your time with those who like your ideas and want to help them succeed. And help those who are reluctant but open-minded see why the ideas are worth pursuing and executing. That way, you'll build some momentum and before you know it the majority will be on board. That majority will set the tone for the whole workplace. The positive energy will convince the snipers to come on board, make the complainers shrug and comply, and make some of the most oppositional workers either stand down or just go away.

So, give up the frontal assault. Build momentum for your ideas and the employees who always have their arms crossed and their eyes rolling will soon let their guards down (see Improving Your Safety Culture with an Effective Campaign to learn more).