The Change Agents' Handbook

An Excerpt from Chapter 6

Starting the journey: the personal decision

Change in an organization begins with the individual – with you and others like you. It is a personal journey, an experience that unfolds in your own mind – yet you cannot go alone. It is a journey you have to share with your colleagues. Because you work together, you have to travel this journey together.

The Journey of Change

The company heads for a better way

Picture the scene when the president of an organization first begins to share her ideas for change with the top management team.

"Why don’t we aim to become a great organization by working more as a team, really focusing on the needs of our customers, and by giving our people the knowledge and tools they need to do the job?"

Here are some of the immediate reactions – although these may be thought and not spoken.

  • "Sounds like empowerment! There’s no way I’m going to let my people start calling the shots – after all the years it’s taken me to get to this position. What are senior managers for anyway? Include me out."
  • "Sounds great. We should have begun to think like this years ago. When can we start?"
  • "Oh no, not another crazy idea! The last president had one every month. She’s been smoking dope – or been to a conference."
  • "I’d love to see this happen – but there’s no chance. She’ll never get this bunch to cooperate on this one. I don’t want to be the dummy out in front like the last time."
  • "Will this upset the superb new unit-pricing system we finally finished implementing last week?"
  • "We should stick with what we know works. It’s time to clear out some dead wood and show everyone we’re serious about getting results."
  • "Sounds like an opportunity to do a ton of training! We could have the grandest training program in the land. Lead on!"
  • "Next we’ll be having group love-ins and discussing our innermost feelings. I hate it when people bring up emotional stuff at work. Let’s just get on with running the business!"
  • "Our only problem is our margins – fix that and we’re home free."
  • "How is this going to fix the defective woggle-sprocket that’s killing our sales right now?"
  • "Can we break for lunch soon? I’m dying for a smoke."
  • "Good for her! This is a courageous move and I think she might pull it off. Include me in."

These emotions begin to erupt as soon as some change becomes a possibility.

You need to recognize that

  • No one is going to come on this journey unless they understand why. They may give the appearance of coming along, but there’s a world of difference.
  • People need time to understand why the journey is necessary, and to accept this. Why do they have to leave behind the familiar ways?
  • People need to understand how the journey will be accomplished.
  • People need to have input to the plan, so that their needs can be taken into account.
  • People need to make their own personal plans for the journey.

Let’s explore the reasons why an individual may or may not choose to come along...

— End of Excerpt —

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