Low and slow is the right way to go

Recently, I was chatting with a client during a #coaching session. I expressed how proud I was of the progress she'd been making - in the last month, she'd landed a six-figure role leading a team of brilliant scientists and was on track for a promotion and salary bump.

We were walking through some of her priorities, goals and objectives, talking about which we wanted to identify as big rocks, smaller rocks or sand. In essence, we were creating a plan to move forward and figuring out what to tackle first.

Through the screen, she looked at me evenly. "Change management is one of the things I will struggle with the most," she explained. "This team has some tough habits that need undoing and breaking down. I know it'll be a slow process."

Almost without thinking, my response came quickly. "Change management is like braising meat," I said with a grin. "Start it on loooowwww and take it slowwwww."

Then we shared a laugh. ??

?? But as our conversation continued, we became curious and dug deeper into what the culinary technique of braising meat has to teach us about transformative #change.

We braise when:

?????? we have a tough cut of meat

?????? we have resources that can help us work smarter, not harder, when creating the environment for tenderizing the cut

?????? we have a good amount of time to build rich flavor

?????? we have the right ingredients to create the experience we want

??? The magical result? The tough collagen of the meat breaks down, resulting in a fork-tender, melt-in-your-mouth meal which is often accompanied by a velvety sauce created from the liquid the meat was braised in. ???

So what can braising teach us about #culturalchange?

Much like braising tough cuts of meat, transformative cultural change requires time, patience and the right conditions.

?? Tough cuts

Braising begins with tough cuts of meat that require more to become tender. Cultural change often begins in the face of deeply ingrained habits, rigid mindsets, or resistant behaviors. "Tough cuts" are challenges that initially seem immovable. But just as the right technique transforms the cuts into something tender, the right approach to #changemanagement can soften resistance and create openness.

?? Setting the right environment

Braising uses slow, even heat, with just the right amount of liquid to create an environment for transformation. Cultural change thrives in an environment that is created with intention —a mix of #psychologicalsafety, clear communication and steady acceleration for progress. Rushing risks leaving the “collagen” of outdated behaviors intact. Leaders must commit to a slow simmer, knowing the outcome of a thriving culture of inclusion is worth the wait.

?? Breaking down structures that no longer serve the organization

Collagen binds muscle fibers together tightly, making them tough. In organizations, these “connective tissues” might be outdated policies, unproductive norms, or entrenched #biases. Transformative change dissolves old structures, allowing for new ways of working, innovative #collaboration and thriving.

?? Creating richness

As the meat tenderizes, the braising liquid becomes a flavorful, velvety sauce. In cultural change, this richness comes from shared struggles and breakthroughs. This #trust and cohesion develops as we navigate change. The challenges that seemed tough at first contribute to the depth and complexity of the final “flavor” of the culture.

?? Building a recipe

Braising requires the right tools—heavy pots, tight lids, quality ingredients and heat or pressure. Likewise, cultural change demands the proper tools: #leadership, collaboration, training and ongoing support. Without these, even the best intentions can fall flat. Leaders must equip themselves and their teams - providing support with the resources and #vision to sustain the process.

?? The full meal: An experience to remember

Cultural change is not a process to rush. It’s a deliberate act of transformation that builds on effort and intention over time. Like braising, it requires starting with the tough stuff, creating the right conditions and allowing the right amount of time for transformation to occur. When done well, the results are remarkable—tender relationships, a velvety-smooth culture and a rich sense of belonging that enhances and infuses every aspect of the organization.