A not very good poem......does it stand the test of time?

That's not a very compelling title for this edition of my newsletter. But as a poet I have to be honest about my work.

I dug deep into the archive for this verse summary of a Change Management conference back in 2012.....And like you I've gotten better since then.

But this verse does illustrate how my style has developed and how even a bad poem can be better than a good traditional event summary.

This summary lists a series of unconnected ideas, each earning a single rhyming couplet. When I do a verse summary now I think more about the themes that have emerged, link ideas to one another and go deeper on some issues. And I think harder about how it ends and the overall flow of the verse.

But this verse still has utility - I think there are several striking and memorable images....Reading it brings to mind moments at the event and some of the speakers. As a mnemonic tool I think it works better than were I to revisit an eleven year old traditional summary. And there was clearly quite some discussion on an emerging thing called "Social Media"....

Anyway you be the judge - these are my thoughts on Change after a two day conference in 2012:

"Change is a?snake, we fear its bite,

We have?a simple choice - fight or flight.

But too much change will make you ill.

Yes change can harm, it can kill.

You have to start with where you are,

Or even the best change process won't get you far.

We need a goal, we need a vision,

Everything peripheral will then lack precision.

Aim for your target, develop focus,

All the rest is hocus pocus.

So here put simply is what you must do,

Figure out first what's best for you.

And when that tiger chases you round the tree,

Don't give your people a false sense of security.

Remember it is uncertainty that kills.

You can face bad news, it harnesses your skills.

And with change it's all emotion,

Forget that and you'll cause commotion.

We are players in a game.

Something changes and then nothing's the same.?

Remember the worlds not objects, its stories

That can lead you on to greater glories.

Change is difficult it's a challenge,

Complex change can be managed.

For many change means doing more with less,

But please don't let that cause you distress.

It's the Human factor that drives success.

Trusting technology will produce a mess.

Focus then on engaging,

Or otherwise you risk enraging.

Resistance will then increase,

When it's creativity you want to release.

Leadership must be active and visible,

Less than this is simply risible. ?

Make sure you provide your people the tools

To make the change or you'll look like fools.

You must be honest. To the point of brutality

Telling the truth never caused a fatality.

Take every opportunity to tell your story,

Celebrate wins, bask in the glory.

Change affects the things we hold most dear,

Communicate openly honestly to defeat fear.

But watch out for resistance that is passive.

This isn't small it can be massive.

Change can be tiny it can be large,

Whatever the size you must take charge.

To deliver great service you must change,

That means transform not just rearrange.

Beware the culture of delay,

“Lets change tomorrow, not today”

When you do use the right tool.

If you think one size fits all then you're a fool.

But if you don't have the support from the top,

Don't event start. Just stop.

There's a culture shift away from paper,

Use social media now not later.

Social media harnesses the power of the crowd,

Engage your people, you will be wowed.

Yes in doing so risk you will face,

But avoiding risk means staying in place.

Be inclusive, balanced, transparent,

If you're not it will be apparent.

If your organization is risk averse,

Proceed slowly but don't reverse.

Persuasion works way better than power.

Use a smile not a glower.

And that desk - is it something you really need?

Throw it out - you may find you're freed.

Public engagement turns you on your side.

Hang on tight it will be quite the ride.

Really it's more like being in a huge snowstorm.

Social media changes everything. There's no more norm!

Always figure out the why,

Or else your social media will not fly.

We all need more capacity

If only we had it we'd be free.

But we have to respond to demand

It varies, we're at its command.

There's nothing wrong with work and joy.

I want to feel like I did as a small boy.

Behaviour is bigger than strategy or process,

So focus on culture for your success.

Your challenge then remains getting from here to there.

Change is the chaos you cannot bear

Change is snakes as hair, not in the grass

Manage it well or it will?bite your.... THANKS.?"

#changemanagement #culture #poetry #conference #emcee