Ab, you are spot on regarding the importance of buy in within an organization.  Engaging subordinate leaders is a great way to build buy in.  Another method that worked well with me was talking with the popular and well-respected Soldier(s) within the unit.  This was not always someone in a designated leadership role, but their ability to sway a formation was no less powerful.  If I could get them to buy into the idea, they would be able to get others to buy in.  Coupling that with chain of command buy in created a really powerful coalition of change.