Friday, November 30, 2007
CHANGE IS GOOD..........THINK AHEAD!
Business Improvement - Shooting at the Moon, Again and Again and Again.
By John Bolden
No matter what type of corporate transformation /business improvement initiative; no matter what size, scale, grandeur, cost, criticality or potential ROI; no matter what the reason or rationale! It is all but certain that whatever you wanted to do to improve the business did not meet expectations.
Along with whatever mediocre results, if any, that were actually delivered; you were probably inundated by a veritable deluge of cost overruns, delays, quality issues, business rebellions, vendor / consultant abandonment, stakeholder threats and sundry other issues and problems.
Take heart, you are not alone! Fully 75% of all efforts to improve the business fail to meet expectations. Cold comfort in your hour of frustration perhaps; however, since you probably want to find out why what was otherwise a neat, good and slick idea to improve the business blew up, take a few moments to consider Shooting at the Moon!
Imagine you are left outside, in the dark and wondering what to do. Yes, yes, I know this occurs frequently given that improvement problems that arise time and time again; however, I need you to imagine you really are outside, at night.
You have a super powerful gun. Aim the imaginary weapon at the Moon. Fire the weapon. Watch patiently with your eye glued to a telescope while you wait for the impact. You will have a very, very long time to wait. By the time your bullet gets to where you aimed, the Moon will be long gone!
A simple metaphor perhaps but one that points to a key reason why so many corporate transformation / business improvement efforts fail to hit the target. An issue or opportunity presents itself today; an action plan is put in motion today to fix today's problem at some point in the future (not today!).
Time passes, by the time the improvement is about ready to improve the business; the business is no longer as it was when the original need for the improvement arose. The reason why the improvement was necessary may still be out there but the business the improvement was meant to improve is not there now!
Since most businesses do not fly in an orbit, why did the business move? Simple! The dynamics of the marketplace, economic upswing or downturn, competitive pressures, new regulations and many other imperatives to change the business means that you are not the only person who aims a weapon at the Moon. Many other people across the business will be looking to change things, improve things, eliminate things, expand things, etc. according to their perception of what needs to be improved and their own priorities and, they go off and do it.
Herein lies the problem (read the next bit slowly); If these other people (one, some or all) do what they wanted to do to improve the business before what you want to do to improve the business gets done - it is very likely that what you wanted to do will not fit, will not work or the piece(s) of the business you wanted to improve may even not exist anymore! Hence cost overruns, delays, business turmoil, etc, etc, etc. The solution is very, very simple. Think like NASA! Aim where the Moon will be, not where it is! In other words, think about what will or might possibly cause the business to change between the moment when you launch an improvement (NOW) and the time when the improvement actually arrives at the target (THEN). Ensure that the baseline assumptions of your initiative are framed in terms of what the business will be or will probably or may look like by the time your improvement is ready to improve the business.
Yes, I know much will be unknown but that is no excuse for not interlocking with what is known or presumed now. The more you know about what others plan to do, are doing or have done and accommodate it in your planning, the better off your initiative and the business will be.
If you incorporate 'moving target' thinking into how improvements are envisioned, planned and executed; you will lessen the frequency and severity of issues and problems that arise from shooting directly at the Moon to manageable even acceptable levels.
Ooop's! In suggesting you think like NASA, let me qualify the suggestion. I am suggesting you aim like NASA, nothing more. Thinking like NASA with respect to its procurement and spending practices should never, ever enter your thinking.
If you would like to learn more about the research that underpins my thinking, feel free to browse my web presence at http://www.TLIRGroup.com
John BoldenRMA, Mil C, C/MBB-ISSSP. F-IICM, F-IPMS
Transformation Leadership, Innovation & Researchhttp://www.TLIRGroup.com
John Bolden is renowned for value laden advice that stakeholders depend on when assessing the wisdom of investing billions. John's views and observations enable corporate leaders to ask the right questions, probe problematic answers and avoid surprises.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
CHANGE IS GOOD.......YOU MAY HAVE TO CHANGE YOURSELF.
For Things To Change You Must Change First !
By Adam Khoo
People always say, "What if it is really not my fault? What if the situation is totally out of my hands?"
In actual fact we always play a role in creating whatever is happening to us, whether consciously or subconsciously.
We create our experiences either through our thoughts or our actions. You can say something emphatically, but if you are thinking something else, people can pick up the vibes, or it will show up in your body language.
People who are in control of their lives believe that they create their world. If everything is going great, then they created it, not anybody else. If things are not going well, then they created it as well.
Some people tell me that they never get a good break. They never get lucky enough to land a great opportunity. They are never at the right place at the right time. I believe you create your own luck. Or I prefer the word opportunity or break.
If you never find any good opportunities, it could be because of your limiting beliefs and thoughts. If you believe that there are no opportunities around, your mind will tend to delete all the great opportunities, even if they are there right before you.
Once there was a woman who had been looking for the right partner for the last 20 years. She was in her late 30s and getting concerned she would never find her ideal guy.
When asked what she was looking for, she started describing this perfect man who had to be rich, handsome, humorous, sensitive and charming.
When asked bluntly, 'Would this man with all these traits want to marry you?' She had no answer.
If she wanted to attract the perfect man, she must first be that perfect woman to attract him!
One single most important message in this article is, for things to change, we must first change ourselves. When we take responsibility for what we get and change ourselves, everything and everybody else will change with us!
So, If you want to attract the best staff, be the best boss. If you want to have the best kids, be the best parent. If you want the perfect wife, then be that perfect husband. If you want the highest income, add the greatest value. If you want to attract the best customers, become the best company.
It will serve us well to remember that we are responsible for creating the events and results in our lives. To attract and get the results and situation s that we want in life, we will need to work and change ourselves in the process. Focus on yourself and success is sure to come.
Adam Khoo is an entrepreneur, best-selling author and a self-made millionaire by the age of 26. Discover his supercharged success secrets and claim your FREE bonus report 'Supercharge Your Success!' at Success With NLP.
Friday, November 23, 2007
CHANGE IS GOOD......IT COULD BE THAT SIMPLE.
Change Is Good.........
By Lisa Kitter
When we embrace change and accept that change is inevitable, life becomes easier and a more enjoyable experience. How many times have you resisted change only to discover that everything changed even without your agreeing to it? Life is in constant motion and the world isn't static for you, me or anyone else for that matter. I recall reading a quote several years ago and I've always remembered it, "Change is eminent, growth is optional."
To grow or not to grow? This is the question we should be asking ourselves every single day. We know change will occur however what we must decide in the process is whether we will grow during the transition from one experience to the next or whether we will dig our heels in and exclaim, "Everyone else must be nuts because I am fine!" Pointing fingers at others and digging in our heels to do our best to not grow is not only foolhardy but also a bit on the same scale as burying our heads in the sand like an ostrich hoping that when we look up all will be as we prefer and nothing much has changed.
I love the phrase, "Here we grow again!" When I'm in a difficult situation I remind myself that I must be growing again and that this too shall pass, in time. I ask myself how can I gain from this experience and is there a lesson here for me? Adversity makes us stronger by causing us to develop more creativity in handling the situation and, more importantly, grow ourselves within the situation and the way we address the issue.
Creating a new habit for us requires approximately 30 days of focused, disciplined intention. Just 30 days and you could, in fact, replace many of your old, outdated and perhaps even sabotaging type of personal and professional habits! Wow, isn't that something to get excited about? How do we develop new habits? We decide to create a new habit; we decide that it is more fulfilling to live life with our new habit than continuing with the old one. Notice the key phrase is, we decide? Make a decision because you do have a choice, life will change, people change, situations change and so can you!
Will change be difficult for us, perhaps yes and then again maybe no. Remember, the more we resist or perceive the change to be "difficult" it will be and the more we affirm changing is about choice and we choose to change - zippity do da - it can be easy and fun! Sometimes people resist changing even when the change is a positive thing for all involved. Why would someone refuse to go along with doing a thing that is good for him or her and for us too? Often times it appears to be "easier" to not change than to take the "high road" and make the shift. I'm sure you've heard before that perception is reality!
As human beings we tend to be creatures of habit. Don't rock the boat, don't upset the apple cart and so forth are the ideas many of us grew up accepting as truth. I personally love the saying, "As long as you're out on thin ice, you may as well dance!" I highly recommend you get out of the habit of having habits. Do the best you can to look with fresh eyes and brand new ideas at each situation that comes your way. Look for better, faster, smoother, more fulfilling solutions than you ever have before. Promise yourself to stretch, grow and break old patterns anytime that you have the opportunity to do so.
Lisa Kitter is known throughout the Network Marketing & Direct Sales Industry as the "Queen of Thinking Big!" She provides sales training and success coaching through her website found at http://www.EYNP.com
By Lisa Kitter
When we embrace change and accept that change is inevitable, life becomes easier and a more enjoyable experience. How many times have you resisted change only to discover that everything changed even without your agreeing to it? Life is in constant motion and the world isn't static for you, me or anyone else for that matter. I recall reading a quote several years ago and I've always remembered it, "Change is eminent, growth is optional."
To grow or not to grow? This is the question we should be asking ourselves every single day. We know change will occur however what we must decide in the process is whether we will grow during the transition from one experience to the next or whether we will dig our heels in and exclaim, "Everyone else must be nuts because I am fine!" Pointing fingers at others and digging in our heels to do our best to not grow is not only foolhardy but also a bit on the same scale as burying our heads in the sand like an ostrich hoping that when we look up all will be as we prefer and nothing much has changed.
I love the phrase, "Here we grow again!" When I'm in a difficult situation I remind myself that I must be growing again and that this too shall pass, in time. I ask myself how can I gain from this experience and is there a lesson here for me? Adversity makes us stronger by causing us to develop more creativity in handling the situation and, more importantly, grow ourselves within the situation and the way we address the issue.
Creating a new habit for us requires approximately 30 days of focused, disciplined intention. Just 30 days and you could, in fact, replace many of your old, outdated and perhaps even sabotaging type of personal and professional habits! Wow, isn't that something to get excited about? How do we develop new habits? We decide to create a new habit; we decide that it is more fulfilling to live life with our new habit than continuing with the old one. Notice the key phrase is, we decide? Make a decision because you do have a choice, life will change, people change, situations change and so can you!
Will change be difficult for us, perhaps yes and then again maybe no. Remember, the more we resist or perceive the change to be "difficult" it will be and the more we affirm changing is about choice and we choose to change - zippity do da - it can be easy and fun! Sometimes people resist changing even when the change is a positive thing for all involved. Why would someone refuse to go along with doing a thing that is good for him or her and for us too? Often times it appears to be "easier" to not change than to take the "high road" and make the shift. I'm sure you've heard before that perception is reality!
As human beings we tend to be creatures of habit. Don't rock the boat, don't upset the apple cart and so forth are the ideas many of us grew up accepting as truth. I personally love the saying, "As long as you're out on thin ice, you may as well dance!" I highly recommend you get out of the habit of having habits. Do the best you can to look with fresh eyes and brand new ideas at each situation that comes your way. Look for better, faster, smoother, more fulfilling solutions than you ever have before. Promise yourself to stretch, grow and break old patterns anytime that you have the opportunity to do so.
Lisa Kitter is known throughout the Network Marketing & Direct Sales Industry as the "Queen of Thinking Big!" She provides sales training and success coaching through her website found at http://www.EYNP.com
Sunday, November 18, 2007
CHANGE IS GOOD......SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO JUMP START IT.
How To Change When Change Seems So Hard!
By Craig Nathanson
Do I have to change who I am to do what I love?
The answer is yes. When you go from one lackluster job to another one, not much personal change is needed. However, when you go from "just a job" to a vocation-that is, doing what you love-it does require a change. It requires a coming out party, of sorts.
It requires a lifting the "cover" off your true authentic self. It requires risk, creativity, and a new way of thinking about your work and life.
Meet Carl and Monica
Carl Battiste was a sales executive doing all the right things-all the things society has taught us to do. Carl worked hard to support his family, despite a growing feeling of being trapped, despite all the money his job brought in. One day, Carl just couldn't take it any more. He realized that the pain of not changing was suddenly greater than the pain involved with changing. Carl was passionate about real estate. He made the leap, and the real estate market has been very tough, but he has never been happier.
Monica Lee, a grandmother of ten, now just shy of 60 years old and an artist, remembers back when she made the big change. Shortly after turning 40, she realized that her passion was painting. Despite the uncertainty of making ends meet each month, and initially having to live in the back of her gallery while she rented out her house, and despite the makeshift bed, and showers with a garden hose, she knew this is what she had to do.
What can we learn from Carl, Monica, and others who made similar changes in their life?
It is not easy to make big changes like this, and it will take great sacrifice. It will require emotional strength, unshakable belief in yourself, and a willingness to take risks with your life.
How you can apply these lessons for yourself?
First, decide what you really want to do. Figure out what you are good at doing, and what you really enjoy. This is where you should focus. All the rules we learn in school, and through life, about improving our weaknesses is a waste of time and life. If you do this, you will just be able to do lots of things, but they will all lack energy and passion. It is much better to focus your life's work and all your efforts on what you really love to do.
What's the worst that could happen if you do change?
Asking yourself this question is a healthy exercise. I doubt that you will die, or even go homeless. I have discovered that when a person does what they love, they suddenly find new creativity they didn't know existed as they figure out new ways to make the money they need to keep doing what they love. This is almost like an addiction, but this addiction is good for your soul!
What's the best that could happen if you do change?
This is an even better question to ask. Think about how the relationships in your life will improve. Think about how much happier you will be. Think about how much more energy you will have in your life.
How to do you achieve what you want?
First envision what you want. Write down exactly what you want to do. Start talking to others now about this dream. Each day. take small steps toward your dream. These steps might be research, reading, taking a class, or talking to someone else who already does what you want to do. Measure your progress as you go. It is true that what gets measured, gets done-it forces you to reflect on your progress. Finally, reward yourself every step of the way. Small rewards you give yourself can be the best gifts of all!
What is at stake if you don't change?
This is the most important question of all. If you cannot answer this question, you will not take any action. If you cannot define for yourself what the effect of not changing will have on your life, you will not change. Only when you clearly see the result of NOT changing, will you suddenly find the inner strength to change.
Simply remaining who you are is effective, but not sufficient. To live with vocational passion, and do work that can last a lifetime takes courage, action, and creativity. It will also take a coming out party of the real you, no longer worried about what others will think. Change is hard, but only through difficult change will you really grow and, as a result, gain new perspectives about yourself and your world.
As always, I'll be cheering you on as you go- Craig Nathanso
Craig Nathanson is the author of P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day and a coaching expert who works with people over forty. Craig's new E-book, Discover and live your passion 365 days a year is a workshop in a box designed to help busy adults go insane with their work. Craig's systematic approach, the trademark "Ten P" process,'' helps people break free and move toward the work they love. Visit Craig's online community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com where you can take a class, get more ideas through Craig Nathanson's books and CD's, get some private coaching over the phone or read other stories of mid-life change and renewal.
Craig lives in Fairfax, California. His office is located at 6 School Street, suite 220, Fairfax, Ca 94930. You can reach him at 415-457-0550 or at craig@thevocationalcoach.com
By Craig Nathanson
Do I have to change who I am to do what I love?
The answer is yes. When you go from one lackluster job to another one, not much personal change is needed. However, when you go from "just a job" to a vocation-that is, doing what you love-it does require a change. It requires a coming out party, of sorts.
It requires a lifting the "cover" off your true authentic self. It requires risk, creativity, and a new way of thinking about your work and life.
Meet Carl and Monica
Carl Battiste was a sales executive doing all the right things-all the things society has taught us to do. Carl worked hard to support his family, despite a growing feeling of being trapped, despite all the money his job brought in. One day, Carl just couldn't take it any more. He realized that the pain of not changing was suddenly greater than the pain involved with changing. Carl was passionate about real estate. He made the leap, and the real estate market has been very tough, but he has never been happier.
Monica Lee, a grandmother of ten, now just shy of 60 years old and an artist, remembers back when she made the big change. Shortly after turning 40, she realized that her passion was painting. Despite the uncertainty of making ends meet each month, and initially having to live in the back of her gallery while she rented out her house, and despite the makeshift bed, and showers with a garden hose, she knew this is what she had to do.
What can we learn from Carl, Monica, and others who made similar changes in their life?
It is not easy to make big changes like this, and it will take great sacrifice. It will require emotional strength, unshakable belief in yourself, and a willingness to take risks with your life.
How you can apply these lessons for yourself?
First, decide what you really want to do. Figure out what you are good at doing, and what you really enjoy. This is where you should focus. All the rules we learn in school, and through life, about improving our weaknesses is a waste of time and life. If you do this, you will just be able to do lots of things, but they will all lack energy and passion. It is much better to focus your life's work and all your efforts on what you really love to do.
What's the worst that could happen if you do change?
Asking yourself this question is a healthy exercise. I doubt that you will die, or even go homeless. I have discovered that when a person does what they love, they suddenly find new creativity they didn't know existed as they figure out new ways to make the money they need to keep doing what they love. This is almost like an addiction, but this addiction is good for your soul!
What's the best that could happen if you do change?
This is an even better question to ask. Think about how the relationships in your life will improve. Think about how much happier you will be. Think about how much more energy you will have in your life.
How to do you achieve what you want?
First envision what you want. Write down exactly what you want to do. Start talking to others now about this dream. Each day. take small steps toward your dream. These steps might be research, reading, taking a class, or talking to someone else who already does what you want to do. Measure your progress as you go. It is true that what gets measured, gets done-it forces you to reflect on your progress. Finally, reward yourself every step of the way. Small rewards you give yourself can be the best gifts of all!
What is at stake if you don't change?
This is the most important question of all. If you cannot answer this question, you will not take any action. If you cannot define for yourself what the effect of not changing will have on your life, you will not change. Only when you clearly see the result of NOT changing, will you suddenly find the inner strength to change.
Simply remaining who you are is effective, but not sufficient. To live with vocational passion, and do work that can last a lifetime takes courage, action, and creativity. It will also take a coming out party of the real you, no longer worried about what others will think. Change is hard, but only through difficult change will you really grow and, as a result, gain new perspectives about yourself and your world.
As always, I'll be cheering you on as you go- Craig Nathanso
Craig Nathanson is the author of P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day and a coaching expert who works with people over forty. Craig's new E-book, Discover and live your passion 365 days a year is a workshop in a box designed to help busy adults go insane with their work. Craig's systematic approach, the trademark "Ten P" process,'' helps people break free and move toward the work they love. Visit Craig's online community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com where you can take a class, get more ideas through Craig Nathanson's books and CD's, get some private coaching over the phone or read other stories of mid-life change and renewal.
Craig lives in Fairfax, California. His office is located at 6 School Street, suite 220, Fairfax, Ca 94930. You can reach him at 415-457-0550 or at craig@thevocationalcoach.com
Thursday, November 15, 2007
CHANGE IS GOOD.......IT REALLY IS UP TO YOU.
Once And For All - Own Who You Are!
By Kim May
I believe that one of our biggest stumbling blocks is completely owning the awesomely powerful creator that dwells within us all. It can be very challenging to wrap your mind all the way around the fact that, EVERYTHING you experience in your personal life is your doing...no exceptions.You may say " I would not have felt hurt if he hadn't done blaa, blaa, blaa." Or you might say " It will possible for me to be happy when I have money, a healthy/fit body or the perfect relationship or the right job".What I am getting at here is, that it will never be about fixing anything outside of ourself... never will that ever get you the lasting results you want. A man who was my teacher for a very longtime once said, to paraphrase," If you want to be truly free, you MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY". I totally agree...that is the only possible path to happiness.
It can be scary too but if you start with the less significant subjects and practice...it definitely gets easier. If you don't giving up blaming your Mother,your Father, your husband, your wife, your teachers, your government, your friends, your anyone or anything outside of you, is like behaving the exact same way and yet, expecting the results to somehow be different. It's not going to happen. It CAN"T happen because the Law of Attraction is THE most powerful law in the Universe and you simply can not buck it.What you think and feel ALWAYS creates a PERFECT match in your experience...ALWAYS!
You were created so powerfully that NOTHING can change the vibration you emit except you. So if you are experiencing anything less wonderful in your life than you want,it's YOUR creation and ...here come's the good news...you can change it.The moment that you consciously begin to think ( and feel,this may take thinking it for a while) differently...it, what ever it is for you, will begin to change. The speed at which it will change depends on how long it takes you to clean up your vibration around it. Sometimes I find that I am so emotionally attached to something or someone that, the best I can do is remove my thoughts about that, and think about ANYTHING that makes me happy...anything. I truth is if you are thinking about something that really makes you happy, you can't possibly being vibrating in a way that would bring you anything but joy. Now, you may need to fight tooth and nail to resist slipping back to those thoughts that are not happy but, if you practice, you will soon see evidence of you labor.
We came here to thrive, to live life utilizing our personal preference, to create WHAT WE WANT, and to be well pleased by that which we have created. Don't you think it's time you got started?
If fitness and nutrition are top concerns of yours, or if they should be, don't miss a single article from Kim May. Ms. May has over 15 years of experience in the fitness world as a personal trainer, motivator, and certified nutritionist. She's been published in leading health magazines and regularly posts articles about fitness from Waynesville, North Carolina where she lives with her partner and two wonderful dogs.
By Kim May
I believe that one of our biggest stumbling blocks is completely owning the awesomely powerful creator that dwells within us all. It can be very challenging to wrap your mind all the way around the fact that, EVERYTHING you experience in your personal life is your doing...no exceptions.You may say " I would not have felt hurt if he hadn't done blaa, blaa, blaa." Or you might say " It will possible for me to be happy when I have money, a healthy/fit body or the perfect relationship or the right job".What I am getting at here is, that it will never be about fixing anything outside of ourself... never will that ever get you the lasting results you want. A man who was my teacher for a very longtime once said, to paraphrase," If you want to be truly free, you MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY". I totally agree...that is the only possible path to happiness.
It can be scary too but if you start with the less significant subjects and practice...it definitely gets easier. If you don't giving up blaming your Mother,your Father, your husband, your wife, your teachers, your government, your friends, your anyone or anything outside of you, is like behaving the exact same way and yet, expecting the results to somehow be different. It's not going to happen. It CAN"T happen because the Law of Attraction is THE most powerful law in the Universe and you simply can not buck it.What you think and feel ALWAYS creates a PERFECT match in your experience...ALWAYS!
You were created so powerfully that NOTHING can change the vibration you emit except you. So if you are experiencing anything less wonderful in your life than you want,it's YOUR creation and ...here come's the good news...you can change it.The moment that you consciously begin to think ( and feel,this may take thinking it for a while) differently...it, what ever it is for you, will begin to change. The speed at which it will change depends on how long it takes you to clean up your vibration around it. Sometimes I find that I am so emotionally attached to something or someone that, the best I can do is remove my thoughts about that, and think about ANYTHING that makes me happy...anything. I truth is if you are thinking about something that really makes you happy, you can't possibly being vibrating in a way that would bring you anything but joy. Now, you may need to fight tooth and nail to resist slipping back to those thoughts that are not happy but, if you practice, you will soon see evidence of you labor.
We came here to thrive, to live life utilizing our personal preference, to create WHAT WE WANT, and to be well pleased by that which we have created. Don't you think it's time you got started?
If fitness and nutrition are top concerns of yours, or if they should be, don't miss a single article from Kim May. Ms. May has over 15 years of experience in the fitness world as a personal trainer, motivator, and certified nutritionist. She's been published in leading health magazines and regularly posts articles about fitness from Waynesville, North Carolina where she lives with her partner and two wonderful dogs.
Friday, November 02, 2007
CHANGE IS GOOD.....BUT YOU HAVE TO WANT TO DO IT.
You Can't Tell Folks To Change, Period
By Peter Vajda, Ph.D
"Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand." Chinese proverb
What's the most common process for introducing change in our organizations? Right. We hold a meeting. Tell folks why the change is necessary and give our reasons for the change, our perceived benefits of the change and tell them be prepared to do it our way. Then, we become angry and frustrated as all heck when we experience workers' resistance, lack of buy-in and little to no change (or complacency, lack of commitment or sabotage in some way, shape or form) in the long run.
As leaders, managers and supervisors should know by now, people resist change when forced upon them. "Telling" is what initiates the resistance. Resistance is the energy spend on NOT doing something, avoiding doing something or fearing to do something.
The deal is that resistance not so much about the change; it's all about being changed.
Leaders, managers and supervisors, the initiators of change, approach change from a different mindset than the folks who are told to change. Leaders, managers and supervisors come to see change as a "creative" process. Those who are told to change come to change from a "reactive" mindset. And, most leaders, managers and supervisors can't "get" why workers are "reactive." What's wrong with them! Why can't they see the positives of the change effort? Reactive thinkers most often view change as an event that will end up hurting them in some way.
So, these differences in perspective, being "creative" and being "reactive", create conflict when used in a "telling" situation. It's very hard for workers to take in the "you are our most valuable asset" mantra while being told what to do, when to do it, how to do it and why.
The issue here is that the leaders', managers’ and supervisors’ intentions are well-meaning. BUT, "telling" is the catalyst in the equation that causes the overt or subtle reactivity.
So, what would it be like when leaders, managers and supervisors, i.e., you, engage employees in the change process, ask workers to engage in the problem-solving? In many cases, employees will come up with the same solutions or change efforts that leaders, managers and supervisors are suggesting. The difference? Employees have a greater sense of self-esteem, value and self-worth because they feel they are part of the process, part of the solution. Commitment and buy-in usually follow closely behind. There is much less tension, conflict and resistance around change.
In just about every employee survey that asks employee what they want, what's important to them at work, in the top five responses we find: (1) acknowledgement, recognition and appreciation; (2) being involved in decisions that affect them; and (3) support with personal issues. This gap between what employees want and what management "thinks" employees want seems to never narrow. Interesting.
When employees feel they are treated as functions and roles, when they feel management does not care about their needs and wants, when they are never asked, "What do you think?", employees’ energy lessens, and begins to evaporate. Performance, productivity, engagement and commitment begin to wane, attitudes turn negative and the "us vs. them" mindset takes over.
When leaders, managers and supervisors take a "telling" approach towards employees, in essence they are saying to employees "We really don't appreciate you; we really don't want to include you." Pure and simple. Like it or not. That's the perception and we all know perception is reality to most folks — especially in workplace situations where change is the issue.
In the final analysis, the real experts in the organization are the folks in the organization. There is a great deal of value and wealth in your organization, in the folks who report to you, in the folks you deal with on a daily basis. They possess a great deal of knowledge, insight and expertise.
If you would take the time, and be honest and sincere in your efforts, you can ask your folks, "What do you think?" and be assured folks will do the self-reflection necessary to come up with the solutions required for them to do their best for themselves and for the good of their team and your organization. Why? Because asking employees improves their self-esteem, motivates them, and empowers them to do their best...consistently. They take ownership for finding solutions.
Finally, asking communicates, "I care about you as a person." “Your opinion is important to me/us/the team/the organization."
Asking makes a difference. If you want folks to use their innate talents, wisdom and knowledge and to be creative, engaged, committed and proactive.........ask, don't tell.
So, our $10 food for thought questions are:
· How do you feel when you are told what to do? · What message do you think folks hear when they are told, and not asked? Do you care what they hear? · Can you think of a time when you had a good idea, an effective solution, and no one listened to you? How did that make you feel? What happened to your enthusiasm? · Have you recently faced resistance to an idea you felt was first-rate? · In your role as a leader, manager or supervisor what solution have you recently tried to implement by telling? How did folks react? How well did they implement the change? How effective was the change? What was your contribution to its success or lack of it? · Are you a "tell" or "ask" type of leader, manager or supervisor? Why? · Can you remember the last time you resisted a change effort?
---ABOUT THE AUTHOR---
Peter G. Vajda, Ph.D, C.P.C. is a founding partner of SpiritHeart, an Atlanta-based company that supports conscious living through coaching, counseling and facilitating. With a practice based on the dynamic intersection of mind, body, emotion and spirit — that is, Essential Well BE-ing — Peter’s approach focuses on personal, business, relational and spiritual coaching. He is a professional speaker and published author. For more information contact pvajda@spiritheart.net or phone 770.804.9125
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