Are we Match-fit for the upcoming strategic period?

Why considering and discussing fitness for the priorities of the next wave is useful for Change leaders and the organisation. 

We all have a general understanding of what it means to be fit and that it is not a one-dimensional attribute. It is about bringing a combination of practices together. We understand fitness from life rather than theory and that improving or maintaining fitness requires activity. It is not a spectator game.

Fitness is not an end in itself, it is a means to an end, a targeted event or a quality of life and longevity enabler. It relates to the finite mindset of setting a base to win a specific event or season and to the infinite mindset of maximising engagement and contribution of a fulfilled life.

Fitness is something we can improve. We can all relate to phases of life where fitness may not have been front of mind. Change-fitness is similar. It is not a priority, until it is. We understand there is a link between fitness and our personal resilience. Managing your energy and expectation is key when facing a physical or mental set back. Many people rebuild physical fitness in times of adversity because physical fitness can help us better address our current situation. Those with higher fitness can take on things that appear impossible to those lower on the fitness ladder. With coaching and a plan, we are able to move to a targeted level. What we thought was impossible can become within reach of our capabilities.

When people realise they have become unfit and commit to activity, they find it becomes a positive lifestyle change. Such people take on challenges perceived to be beyond their limits such as running a marathon and elite athletes break world records and achieve feats previously deemed humanly impossible. It’s about increasing your threshold, not wishing life was without challenges.

Keeping fit and building fitness can be a lot of fun. Shared experiences can be a wonderful social connection. Many people form deep friendships through sport, their local gym or a walking group.

I have found fitness analogies and stories connect with people and have used them for many years as we talk about the practice of strategy execution. The Change-Fit Leadership Team Ladder came to life for me with a CEO who was early on the path to lifting their organisation from compliance seeking to the leveraged leadership team level. They explained: ‘The board is talking about being nimble, implementing strategies at pace. It has been shielded from the realities of our culture and capability. I need something that will explain to them that those strategies assume a high performing team—a fitter team than we are currently. I would like to go with your 5 km runner building up fitness analogy, but we are talking about moving off the couch after a long time of being spectators.’

We can see ourselves and others in fitness and change-fitness levels without overly technical physical trainer assessments or business consultant diagnostics.

Is your team match-fit for the upcoming budget and program period?

Bernie

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Are you a Bright Spark, bright with a spark for today and the future, seeking reconnection with what matters and the capability to lead with intention without being limited by your past, even if the world around you is constantly disrupting?

Are you a Bold Executive Leader seeking shifts in yourself and your organisation’s outcomes without compromising relationships, self-care, and meaning in work, even if the conundrums are mounting and deep down you doubt this is possible across your team?

Are you a Board Director seeking to maintain or achieve industry leadership through periods of disruption, without disrupting shareholder confidence or Executive commitment, even if others in your industry say it is not possible?

Where do you need to elevate and integrate?

Bernie is known for building capability and confidence in leaders who need to transform organisations that are continually reshaping to survive and thrive.

His career began in whole of enterprise and cross-organisation shifts, followed by 10 years in Business Transformation Diagnostics, Training, and Mentoring across Australia and SE Asia. He currently works with leaders who are focused on accelerated development and re-imagination of industry value systems. He loves working with the Bright, the Bold and the Board to successfully transition to the next phase, creating a positive ripple effect.

In 2020 Bernie authored Traction: Building Change-fit Leadership Teams.

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