As a dad with two girls I anxiously await Valentine’s Day.
I know I will get extra attention. I know I will get crafts created with focus, energy and dedication. I know there will be a loving exchange in those hand-offs. And I know there will be a connection and smiles (read happy, happiness).
(Let’s see him make the connection to change management THIS time…).
Go backwards through the second paragraph and look at the words- happy, smiles, connection, hand-offs, dedication, energy, focus, created, attention and don’t forget to notice all of the “I’s”. That looks like a list of words you would want associated with change in organizations. Change in organizations is about people doing what they do best, displaying that to someone (who measures them) and everyone (who shares in the feeling of accomplishment and success).
What can you do to produce this kind of intense level of effort and commitment?
At the risk of being cheesy, what can you do to make your change effort a little more like Valentines Day?
- The Environment
- The Tools
- The Rewards
The Environment
Change Management has a lot to do with creating the right environment for forward movement. There must be just enough time for stakeholders to do their best. There must be an association to the end state that pulls people in to create, collaborate and deliver. As with our day of “love everywhere” it helps to have events that can tie end states and work together in an extra burst of energy and effort.
The Tools
Having set up the right environment, created the mixture of time, effort and a vision of the end CM/owners/leaders/organizations must make sure they have the tools they need for the stakeholders to create at their peak level. My kids have a couple of boxes in the closet filled with different media and tools (paper, pen, pencil, markers, scissors, templates, etc.). If the environment is there, if the event is beckoning, they can create in a whirlwind. So too can your stakeholders with the same foundation.
The Rewards
Remember the “I’s”?
No matter the situation everyone has a little bit of selfish inside. THAT is a good thing. Because a good person does things for the good of others knowing that they will get a little attention. Pure altruism is ephemeral (if even possible)- that is OK since it is the act that is important. So good change agents that you are always include a little reward for accomplishment and success.
Keep in mind those rewards can go to groups of individuals (the “I’s” that form “We’s”). Valentines day or not, when my kids get into those craft boxes they can create things together that are pretty amazing. Same goes for your stakeholders. Be ready to pat them on the back when there is success.
