It Doesn’t Happen Overnight

Around 25 years ago, I hired a personal trainer. He told me my cardio workout plan was fine, but I needed to build muscle with strength training.

I was worried. I didn’t want to look like a body builder.

He laughed.

Looking back, he might have been thinking: She’ll be lucky if she develops any muscles!

Or more likely:

Doesn’t she realize, no one ever develops muscles overnight?

He explained that I wouldn’t one day wake up with bulging biceps and that I would see progress along the way. Reluctantly, I embarked on a fitness regime that blended cardio and strength.

Now, many years later, I work out every morning.

And now that I am a leadership coach, as I listen to the trainers, I link their words to leading change.

Here are a few of the phrases they use that resonate with me.

1.?????? Warm up well to avoid serious injury

In the early stages of change, whether a reorg, a new product, or an expansion into a new market, we may be tempted to jump straight in with driving change, without checking in.

This is what our workout looks like today

This is what we’ve got planned and we will offer modifications along the way. Change, by nature, changes, so when leading a project, be aware that the plan may well need to change – otherwise, it will fail, or cause avoidable injuries.

Listen to your body

Here the body is you and those involved in and/or impacted by change.

How are they feelign? What are they sharing with you? Are you reading the signals? How can you incorporate their feedback to improve the end result?

You do you

Here, the ‘you’ is what’s going to be effective for the greater good and the success of the change goal.

Whilst we have a plan, we can pivot and modify it, based on how well we are progressing, how much fuel we have in the tank and how much change we can handle.

Your body never feels exactly the same. Where feels different today?

Different people embrace change at different rates. Keep checking in with your team members.

To what extent are they getting on board with the change? What encouragement or help do they need to limber up and set off on the road ahead? How can their feedback inform you on your best course of action?

2.?????? Let’s add some power!

This is when you’re warmed up, and people are interested and engaged in the change initiative. They know what’s expected and they are moving ahead.

You’ve got this!

When the sweat is dripping off you, you probably welcome some recognition and encouragement. In the workplace, it might be along the lines of: You’re right on track. Yes, it’s a challenge - but I know you can keep up the momentum.

Let’s add some intensity – increase your weights.

When you’re actively engaged and are managing well with the weights – the accountabilities of the project and delivering initial results – you can encourage yourself and your team to up the weights and take on more.

Remember what it feels like when you’re done

Another motivational phrase to connect the feeling of completing the workout with the satisfaction derived from a project well-delivered.

Give it all you’ve got!

In the final straight, what more can you give to get this project over the line?

And always always always - keep listening to your body

Keep your finger on the pulse of yourself and your team to know how well you are doing and how well they are coping.

Consider whether they need a break (an actual break and a time out), or are ready for more (additional accountabilities or a new assignment).

3.?????? Cool Down Properly to Avoid Serious Injury

Check in – How are You Feeling?

Where do you need to focus? In a work project, you are stretching your mental muscles – your emotional stability and your physical energy.

Now that you’ve delivered the project, you’re reflecting on what went well, what didn’t and what we can learn from this for future projects.

Lean into the areas which need most attention.

After any workout – or project – recognize where you need to devote more attention to yourself and your team. When did you/didn’t you listen to the signals from yourself or from the team? Where did you need more support – or less? Where did you overly push yourself?

How can you learn from this cool down and reflection period for future projects?

Your Change Project

Building your fitness is a change project - just as building your leadership fitness, or leading a specific change initiative, is a change project.

It takes time. It requires support (trainer, partner, co-exercisers). It requires a conducive environment (the right tools – exercise mat, skillset, data).

As to my weight training regime. Here is my reflection:

• Did I enjoy it? Not at first
• Did I stick with it? Yes
• Did I develop more muscle over time? Yes
• Do I miss it if I can’t do it? Yes
• Do my muscles atrophy if I don’t do it regularly? Yes
• Am I committed to weight training for life? Yes

What is a change you are leading, or a change you want to make for yourself?

Can you accept that change is a journey? It typically doesn’t happen overnight.

Maybe take a leaf from the fitness handbook of my favourite trainers – and get started with your change.

Andrea Stone is an Executive and Team Coach facilitating change on an individual, team and organizational level.

? Andrea Stone, Stone Leadership