My NHBR Column -- Change is Hard, but so is Stagnation

In my leadership workshops, I show a cartoon of a man asking, “Who wants change?” and the assembled crowd enthusiastically raises their hands in response. But when he asks, “Who wants to change?” they look quietly down at their feet. Yes, it is human nature to want others to change to meet our needs, but the hard truth is that change can only start with what we control — ourselves!

This is true, even for simple changes. As a personal example, about five years ago I realized that I had been tying my shoes incorrectly going back to my childhood. No wonder they kept coming untied! But even when I committed to correction, it took a conscious effort not to fall back on old habits. Now, I finally get it mostly right!

If simple changes take that much effort, what about more significant changes that are important to our professional lives and serving as a leader? It is human nature for an initial reaction to change to be a personal sense of loss, writes Ken Blanchard. It is important to give people a chance to process what is happening with a, “clear plan and strategy for focusing people’s energy on the few desired behaviors that will produce the greatest results.”

Yes, change can be hard, but so can stagnation! Growing as people requires us to look for positive opportunities to change, and always be prepared to roll with it when necessary. You can read my full column at https://read.nhbr.com/nh-business-review#2022/01/28/?article=3927922 .