Change: How to Lead it, Manage it, and Do it - Vol. 1

Change: How to Lead it, Manage it, and Do it - Vol. 1
"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."--Alvin Toffler
 
Remember the Impressions song “People, Get Ready, There’s a Train A-Comin”?  Lately, I’ve been singing it “People, Get Ready, There’s a Change A-Comin!” It seems that everywhere we turn, there’s one change right after another. I think most folks are convinced that there’s no getting around change. It happens every day, everywhere. And what’s happening in many organizations, because the change is not being MANAGED, is
 
CHAOS!
 
So, how do you deal with all of this change without creating CHAOS in your organization?
 
In his book, Developing the Leader Within You, John Maxwell cites “creating positive change” as the “ultimate test of leadership.”  He goes on to say that in order to change organizations, leaders must change, and he gives 12 trouble spots which spotlight a leader that is unwilling to change, which means the organization is in trouble:
 
A leader in trouble….
  • Has a poor understanding of people.
  • Lacks imagination.
  • Has personal problems.
  • Passes the buck.
  • Feels secure and satisfied.
  • Is not organized.
  • Flies into rages.
  • Will not take a risk.
  • Is insecure and defensive.
  • Stays inflexible.
  • Has no team spirit.
  • Fights change.
The first step in LEADING CHANGE is to realize how you yourself, as the leader, may need to change. Answer these questions: Am I growing? What is one specific way I’ve changed lately? What is my own personal growth plan?  Am I really open to change myself? If not, how can I require others to change?
 
This first step is difficult. Our experience is that many leaders don’t get that they themselves may need to change. It's much easier to point the finger at others and say, "they really need to change."  
 
Maxwell tells the story of a Middle Eastern mystic who said, "I was a revolutionary when I was young and all my prayer to God was: 'Lord, give me the energy to change the world.' As I approached middle age and realized that my life was half gone without my changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to: 'Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come into contact with me, just my family and friends, and I shall be satisfied.’ Now that I am an old man and my days are numbered, I have begun to see how foolish I have been. My one prayer now is: 'Lord, give me the grace to change myself.' If I had prayed for this right from the start, I would not have wasted my life."

Once a leader has changed to the point that he is "walking the walk" vs "talking the talk", he must always be out in front encouraging change and growth. He must realize that there are (1) technical requirements for every change, and (2) attitudinal and motivational demands for bringing it about. Usually, #2 is what causes change initiatives to fail.  

Next time, we will explore why folks seem to resist change so much.
 
--Pamper