In the world of business...
We often face situations that can make us feel like we are having to pat our heads whilst rubbing our stomachs ... and clicking our heels all at the same time!
HOW CONFUSING!!
... a very common cry from leadership:
"we must fundamentally change as an organisation!"
But "We must continue delivering on our existing business at the same time!!"
And "We must be mindful of costs and people's focus!!!"
Leaders can be paralysed into inaction by this seemingly impossible challenge. In addition we are faced with an increaslingly complex world of:
Uncertain markets
- Political influences
- Currency variations
- Varying resource demands
- Natural and man-made disasters
Changing behaviours
- Social Media
- Customer expectations
- Employee expectations
- Lifestyle demands
Increasing Technology
- Enhancing and liberating
- Distracting and confusing
- Constantly evolving
- Omnipresent
... just to name a few.
The answer is in our everyday lives ...
We are constantly facing BIG changes in our personal lives. Some are forced on us, others we get to choose. Some BIG ones may involve:
- Changing jobs
- Relationships and family
- Sadness with loved ones
- Moving house
- Travelling or moving abroad
... to name a few.
You hear concerns about coping, but generally ... we get by.
At some point we are able to understand what needs to happen ... and why. We make the necessary changes, while getting on with our daily lives; we adjust accordingly.
Sometimes we do this on our own: often we enlist the help of others.
It's the nature of change. Especially when nothing ever seems to stay the same.
So, in order to make our everyday lives a little easier:
Take the time to occasionally step back and reflect ... when you look at the overall picture, it's normally just a process of natural change. If things weren't changing, there'd be something wrong!
So, back to business ...
A simple process to navigate complex change:
- Understand what's changing, or needs to change, and why (what areas do we need to focus on over the long term?)
- Plan for the necesary changes, taking into account the necessities of day-to-day business (what needs to happen in the short and medium term)
- Adjust our activity accordingly (what needs to be re-prioritised?)
Sounds too simple?
Make sure you:
- Give yourself and others enough time to reflect on the big picture, bring the right people in at the right time
- Are clear about any decisions - commit and be prepared to explain yourself ... retain accountability
- Are realistic and adaptable - your assessment won't be perfect and neither will your plan, that's reality, so be ready to adjust
- Involve others authentically and help them understand:
- What it means to them
- How they might help
Change can almost always be translated into an energising opportunity - it takes work, but it also makes it engaging!
