How do you affect change?

How you affect change is really simple physics.

Now those that know me reading this will know that physics is not my speciality subject. Shouting at my kids and swearing would definitely be more my bag. Eating Easter Eggs and quaffing wine is definitely something I can relate to.

And who has ever heard of simple physics?

But, when we are considering change, sometimes it's good to know that there is a system, a process, something you can switch on to crack on. It always seems easier when there is a system. And whether that system is affecting change as an individual or as an organisation, a process is what helps manifest that change.

It is as simple as finding the switch. We wrap ourselves up in jargon and change management strategies but surely it's simply about finding the switch, the switch to switch the system on. The switch that kickstarts the circuit.

Now I appreciate that might be difficult the first week after Easter when we are mainly 89% chocolate, but let's switch our mind to affecting change.

Newton's first law states (never thought I'd write a sentence talking about Newton's first law) that every object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled to change its state by the action of an external force.

This tendency to resist changes in a state of motion is inertia. Basically if you keep on doing what you are doing now you will keep on getting the same results. In business if you keep doing the same thing with all your people you will get the same reactions, behaviours and responses. As a individual if you keep doing the same thing, you're going to keep getting the same results.

All objects (humans) resist changes in their state of motion - we tend to keep on doing what we're used to doing, what our learned behaviours tell us to do.

What you need to do is apply a state of motion, an action to change the current state.

Suppose that you filled a jug to the very top with sangria and walked round to your best friend's (house) to share said jug of sangria on a sunny day. You were also late and needed to get to your friend's pretty quickly because everyone NEEDED a glass of sangria. So you need to complete the journey in the least amount of time possible and it's not a straight path to your mates (oh and you're walking the dog there too, so the dog is on a lead and likely to pull if said dog sees a squirrel.)

Physics tells us (and common sense) that the sangria would have a tendency to spill from the jug during specific locations on the way.

In general the sangria is in danger of spilling when:

• the jug is at rest and you attempted to move it
• the jug is in motion and you attempted to stop it
• the container is moving in one direction and you attempted to change its direction because the dog saw the said squirrel
• you were thirsty and attempted to sip said sangria whilst also walking with the dog on the lead

The sangria spills whenever the state of motion of the container is changed. The sangria resists change in its own state of motion. The jug was moved from rest to a slow speed at the starting line when you realised how late you were and had had seventy billion text from said friend. The jug was stopped near the finish line when you decided you were thirsty and needed to check the contents weren't poisoned; and then the sangria kept moving and spilled over the edge of the jug.

You get my point (and now all you want is sangria and sunshine and a butler to carry it for you; and a jug with a lid).

Getting the sangria to your mates is basically Newton's first law of motion (ish).* When you move you find a pace and then when you stop and do something different, the sangria spills. Sangria in motion stays in motion.

So to affect change, you need to find your NEW motion to get things moving in a different direction - and here's the BEST bit.

It only needs to be a small motion to affect change. To cascade change. To start a chain reaction (more physics) and to create the ripples in the pond (of Sangria)

Imagine you started walking carefully with the sangria, you found the pace where you could keep the sangria in the jug and then you gradually and gently increased the pace. You didn't start at a run - because that would be stupid (even without said jug).

Once you start things it gets easier because you have momentum. It's the starting that's the hardest bit. Momentum comes from a slow steady start. You just need to start.

So if you need to affect a culture change in your organisation, it starts with a slow steady start (sangria is optional). If you want to affect change in yourself, it starts with a slow steady start (sangria is encouraged).

But it has to start with action, a small action because from one small action comes momentum.

Now who's still thinking about sangria?

*and if it's not, just pretend it is so I can make the point of this article