Book Notes: “Change Management that Sticks” (Takeaway #4)

This takeaway will change your life (for the better)! What does it take to change at our very core? Everything we do depends on our very being and who we want to become. Let's be about more than ourselves and make positive change happen together. That's where change makes the most difference! Here's a tip at the core of the challenge!

Here is my takeaway #4?from a book that makes organizational project work worthwhile, “Change Management that Sticks: A Practical People-centered Approach, for High Buy-In and Meaningful Results”:

4)?“Regardless of the scale, money spent, or outputs, one thing I've learned is that all successful change adoption starts with behaviors. What matters most is to understand those behaviors. Then to successfully influence the values and emotions driving those behaviors toward the change...the fundamentals don't change.”

Note: This comes from the Introduction (page xxii).

Just like in Project Management where there are 4 foundational behaviors (respect, listening, clarifying expectations, and accountability) that help influence others to accept and follow your authority, there are behaviors that lead to accepting and adopting change.

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STORY TIME

When I was growing up, our family of 6 boys moved to 6 different states. I grew accustomed to change, especially in my younger years. My parent's sales pitch got tougher the more the change impacted us as we got older. There were a lot of emotions that came with that, but since I trusted they knew best, I got on board pretty quickly and made the most of it.

Nothing stays the same. Life would have changed had we stayed in one location or not. But the overall need for change for the interest of our family was greater than not each time we moved, so we had a clear defining point where we knew the change was happening and we could choose a more proactive approach to the opportunity or not. We could have a good attitude about it or not. We could realize the benefits from it or not. Pushing against it would only make it worse.

Fact of the matter is there are good and bad to every change. I have learned through the years that change happens and while we don't always have much choice in the matter, we can choose what we get out of a change and what others get out of the change too. At first, it may be more difficult, but in the long run it has always worked out for the best. I realized that being the new person in town meant that I would need to convince others to change their lives too, to accept me into their lives. What you need to find are early adopters who understand how to make the most out of the change desired.

I found that the most discontent people are the most willing to take a risk on you and befriend you. These are great people to help you understand the current state of the environment and culture you are working with. The problem is the ones who want change the most, may not have the best changes in mind, and may not even want to change themselves when it's needed. They may try to influence you to accept their ways without considering your way of life that has made you happy. Most people want to know what's in it for them, and then if they are more content with their current lives, they won't feel like they need the change you bring to their lives. Many would sit back and observe what you value, how you make them feel, and then consider if merging their interests with yours makes their lives better or not. This can be a tough sell.

One of my favorite leaders in my work history was a woman brought in to be the Head of an Academic Library that was already Top 5 in the country. She wisely observed and gathered feedback on how we did things for 6 months before she looked to make her mark, and even then, changes were developed and implemented as a team. I think we improved in a number of ways during her tenure. I have always been a friend to everyone, but I have also always sought to change for the better. My lasting friendships are with people who help me strive to be my best self in whatever pursuits. Even in my individual pursuits I have relied heavily on a supporting cast to cheer me on.

There's a book called "Surround Yourself with Greatness," by Chad Lewis an All-Pro Football Player at Tight End. He attributes his individual success to great teammates, teams, and organizations that buoyed each other up and progressed each other's goals and dreams through hard work and tough changes together.

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We don't usually have a lot of visibility in our organizations. Organizations make changes all of the time. The organization that can successfully influence behaviors toward mutual values and interests is most likely to gain successful changes. I submit that all success in life comes from an inner desire to constantly change for the better, and that the greatest successes come from a whole group of people aligning with purpose, values, and behaviors toward the common good in those relationships!