Resistance Hones Dynamic Change!
03/17/03
Patricia McLagan knows that resistance is a great gift to an effective change agent: "Rather than being something to overcome, resistance is an important part of the dynamic of change. It helps test and hone changes better than the initial change idea. Resistance may be a signal to take a stand; our own or other's resistance may help stop or improve a poor or bad change."
How many times have you gone to your best supporters to figure out how to overcome the resistance of the naysayers you have not even talked to? Have you ever avoided approaching your "difficult people" instead of taking the time to involve them early in your change efforts? You are not alone; most people have been trained to avoid conflict instead of use it. As a change agent, one of the best ways to surface improvements worth making is to risk placing your change on the anvil of resistance. By facing and engaging the conflict that is often generated in the change process, good leaders help shape changes into something that is more effective and more likely to last. Instead of avoiding conflict, use it to improve the quality of your change efforts. Consensus is not agreement; consensus and commitment often come when all stakeholders have been given an opportunity to be heard and to participate in the change process. Where can you make conflict work for you instead of against you this week? By doing so, some of those "difficult people" you now avoid may become more valuable, straight-talking allies who aren't afraid to tell you what you need to hear on your change journey. In fact, sometimes they may just help you avoid making a change that isn't worth doing at all.
A PAULSON QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"The only places perfect people exist are in educational movies. In the world of change you want people committed to action making course corrections in the pursuit of an ever-moving target. The trick is learning from errors to produce a winning batting average over and over again." --Terry L. Paulson, PhD, CSP, CPAE
MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT
Today's mirthful moment comes from Laura McQuay via Robert Tucker via Marie Collins-- "DO YOU EVER WONDER...:"
Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes...Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
When you keep your eyes open for mirth, you just may find it! Hope this kicks off your morning and helps get your mood adjusted for the week. Now, get busy MAKING CHANGE WORK and have some fun along the way!...