Change Dynamics and the Leaders Who Drive Them
There is a difference between working in a changing environment and managing change. Change dynamics, or the situations and circumstances that drive organizational change, are often more about choice rather than force.
Work harder, push harder, do more, be efficient, are all commonplace thoughts for leaders wishing to improve metrics. One trouble spot is that leading through force is not as powerful as creating a compelling call-to-action.
Change Through Buy-in
Resistance to change, or the fear of change, is not about the generations, it is not about front-line instead of middle-management, it is about people, all people. Certainly, some people are more risk adverse than others, but change makes most people a little nervous.
Of course, the scale of change and the reasons for it play a role. Regardless, at some level most people think twice about change.
Buy-in is a commonplace term used to describe an action or recommended behavioral pattern for change.
We need buy-in for this change.
Go work with your teams to create buy-in.
Your department doesn’t appear bought-in for this change.
Buy-in is not created through fear or the authoritarian approach. Buy-in is created when there is a compelling reason to get committed.
Change Dynamics
An approach of, “My way or the highway.” will certainly make many people go through the motions. Fear springs people to action. People in motion may be accomplishing something, yet they may not be bought-in.
The conditions, reasons, and circumstances for change will have much to do with what happens next.
When leaders make a compelling case for the need to change, people will choose a path. Change for people is a change about choice.
Choice is the key, and for the leader change is about pull, it is not about push or shove.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
