Change Stinks! Progress Rocks!
Chief Bob Vásquez
Wisdom Seeker, Igniter, Storyteller, Author, Speaker, Founder at PowerPact Leadership!
You’ve heard it before…people don’t like change. That’s RIDICULOUS! How would you like to live your life exactly the same way every day, like the movie Groundhog Day? You’d never age. You’d have the same job forever. Same pay grade, no promotions, ever. You’d see the same people every day. Imagine going through that if you don’t like the people you live and work with!?
The only exception to this “dilemma” is if you have grandchildren. If you do, you know exactly what I mean. If you don’t, you will someday.
It’s not that people don’t like change. The truth is that people don’t like to BE changed. When you try to force something new on others there will be resistance. It’s natural. When they own it, it’s not change, it becomes progress. People will support what they create.
Change, in most cases, is arbitrary. Let’s change it, whatever “it” is, because….I want you to. That’s what most people don’t appreciate. Just because you’re the boss, you can’t change everything. Okay, maybe you can. But it won’t make the team better. In fact, it will create resentment among your team. And fast!
If you intend to be an effective leader, first, ask WHY before you make a change. Unless it affects the safety of your followers and teammates.? “Why should we (the Royal We) do that differently?” is the question you should ask. If the answer isn’t “Because it makes us/it better,” then, I suggest reconsidering the change. If it DOES make you/it better, that’s PROGRESS! People love progress! If you look up the word “progress" on dictionary.com you’ll find the definition to be “growth?or?development;?continuous?improvement.” People will buy into that!?
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As I said before, people will support what they create. Ask your followers how you/they can make it better. If you’ve developed a climate of trust, they will be more than happy to give you their advice. Remember that their advice is based on their experience. If they’re inexperienced, you may be able to help them understand the bigger picture. If they’re experienced, remember where they’ve been…on the floor, in the trenches, where things really happen…they probably know a lot more than you do about what needs improving. Listen to them. Involve them in the decision on how to improve, on how to progress.
Until next time, Be GREAT! You ARE!
?HEIRPOWER!
bob vásquez!