Our tag line states “increasing your capacity for change.” Well… what is that suppose to mean? And, why would I want to do that?
Thanks for asking…. Increasing an organization’s capacity for change requires several elements for maximum success. For organizations to reach its maximum capacity it is best when all of these elements are playing nice in the sandbox. In fact, it is critical. I will not discuss today the full list of critical factors for success but will start with the first and most important one. This first foundational element is: embracing the idea that change is not an option for optimal organizational performance. (It is also needed for individual success.)
Most of us know this…however, even today, organizations/individuals still don’t want to accept it and embrace it. We (Organizations) say all the right words and think we have embraced change, but when it comes to stepping up to the plate we are hesitate to swing the bat. Why?
Most of the time organizations :
1. do not possess the energy it takes to do, see and agree to what is needed
2. do not have a full commitment to doing “what it takes”
3. do not have an understanding of the importance of the change
4. are comfortable in the status quo
5. do not have the total capabilities to implement change initiatives to gain peak effectiveness
This is not a criticism…it is just the facts; at least some of the time, if not all of the time, it affects every organization.
The most important question before committing to a change effort, whether small or large within your organization is: Are we ready… no really ready? and all that question means. Do we know or have an idea of the impact this change will have internally and externally? Consider the “butterfly effect” when answering the last question, that is… the significance of small events and their potential for great impact. Are we willing to “DO WHAT IT TAKES?”
Let me leave you with a challenge before you answer the above questions… Are you aware of your own internal voice and are you being truthful as you ponder and answer these questions?
The First Critical Step in ALL change initiatives is to EMBRACE IT… and we can’t do that if we first don’t ask ourselves the tough questions (or have someone else ask us) with the willingness to take off our mask and face truth as it stares you coldly in the face.
Once you have taken off the mask and faced the truth about yourself and the organization then you are ready to start embracing change and all the questions we discussed.
Later I will discuss the points made earlier as to why organizations don’t always want to swing the bat when stepping up to the plate. Until later…
May this day, be your best ever.
gay, the “changeologists”
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