Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/559769
72 • SEPTEMBER 2015 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Seventy percent of all change ef- forts fail to achieve their desired re- sults. Think of all the books, articles, speeches, and workshops that you have seen or attended over the past decade. Don't you think we would be bet- ter at change by now? The sad reality is that change – as it is addressed in most organizations – fails because it is over-managed and under-led. To make change work, you must stop thinking of change as a process to be managed, and start viewing it as an opportunity to engage people that must be led. Here are four ideas to help: 1. Change the way you think and talk about change. You change a light bulb when it burns out. Athletic teams change coaches when they consistent- ly lose. Organizations change when … If your initial response was "when things aren't going well," there you have an opportuni- ty to change your perspective on change. C o m p a n i e s that can quickly identify, anticipate, and adapt are the winners in a world where business demands change over- night. Examine the language you use to describe and promote change. Are new ideas encouraged or ridiculed? Are changes only discussed from the perspective of a crisis to be averted, or do you reinforce opportunities for proactive improve- ment? Our language reflects our think- ing, and when it comes to leading change, our think- ing drives our ac- tion. 2. Involve others in crafting and implementing solutions. People sup- port what they help create. Most important, remember that people support and take positive ac- tion to change for their reasons, not ours. Do the hard work of communi- cating the need and opportunity for change based on what is important to those from whom you need support. Compliance can be mandated, but commitment is volunteered. 3. Use resistance as your friend. The normal reaction to resistance is emotion. They push us, and we want to push back. We try to reason with the resis- tors. If that doesn't work, we resort to bargaining, manipulation, using pow- er to mandate compliance, or ignoring the people and the problem. If there is no resistance, there is no change. Ask questions and listen. Be patient and realize that the concerns raised by a few are probably shared by many others. Doing so al- lows you to identify potential barriers to making change work and increases your odds of building support. 4. Go first. All change creates moments of instability and anxiety. Substantial change that comes at you in waves can either make you bold or make you timid. Timid organizations don't antici- pate the future. Timid people don't invest in them- selves or take the actions that enable them to quickly adapt. Those that you seek to influence want you to be bold. Focus on adding so much value that anxiety and fear are minimized. Strategically invest in the future, and inspire hope. Change rarely fails be- cause of a faulty process. It often fails because of people-related reasons. We increase our opportunities for success when we invest less time man- aging change and more time leading it. The Great Depression of the 1930s saw the demise of many com- panies, but it also gave us many of the most recognizable brands of our day. The same will be true of today. Fifty years from now, we'll look back on this time as the crucible that spawned legendary brands and busi- nesses. They will be the ones who make change work. Randy Pennington is an award-winning author, speaker, and leading authority on helping orga- nizations achieve positive results in a world of accelerat- ing change. To bring Randy to your next meeting, visit www. p e n n i n g t o n g r o u p . com, e-mail info@penningtongroup. com, or call Michelle Joyce at 704- 965-2339. Change: Less management, more leadership, better results BY RANDY PENNINGTON People support what they help create. Most important, remember that people support and take positive action to change for their reasons, not ours. Do the hard work of communicating the need and opportunity for change based on what is important to those from whom you need support. The best way to mark post holes... Qual Line's easy to apply aluminum post hole paint makes vivid, long-lasting lines. Call 608-849-4654 to place an order! Waunakee, WI ◆ www.quallinefence.com www.quallinefence.com LogCabinFence.com 888-267-3821 WWW.4NAFCA.COM NEXT ARLINGTON PROJECT APRIL 1, 2016 JOIN US AT OUR NEXT GATTHERING HOSTED BY LOG CABIN FENCE OCTOBER 2, 2015 NEXT ARLINGTON PROJECT APRIL 1, 2016 JOIN US AT OUR NEXT GATTHERING HOSTED BY LOG CABIN FENCE OCTOBER 2, 2015 YOUR AD HERE YOUR AD HERE WWW.4NAFCA.COM East Sales 888-456-6786 West Sales 888-613-8146 Canada Sales 888-749-7133 WWW.MFTFENCE.COM Your First Source for Quality U.S. MADE Fittings! www.hampdenfence.com • 800-891-2235