I hate the phrase “Change is hard.” It’s a stupid statement that teaches people to fear change and resist. Consider that the AI tool ChatGTP cracked one million users within five days of launch. That’s rapid adoption - faster than any other app. Not hard at all for many people. We adapt...
I’m Afraid! Resistance Part 3
In the previous two weeks, we covered the first two common resistance responses to change: I can’t and I won’t. What’s left once you’ve cleared those barriers? The toughest one of all: I’m afraid.Consider what accompanies the fear response: Narrowed vision Survival mentality Avoidance It’s pretty hard to get someone to adapt when they...
I won’t! Resistance Part 2
If you search for images of resistance, you inevitably end up with raised fists, and people working out with stretchy bands. They’re both right. Resistance is not one-dimensional, and it’s not all bad, despite the negative connotations we associate with the word. Last week we looked at the first resistance response: I...
The Three Responses to Resistance
TRY THIS EXERCISE: I commonly ask people learning about change to consider this scenario: An older man with a cane is standing at the side of the road on a busy street. When you offer to help, he refuses. Why?Typical responses include: He’s afraid of the traffic He doesn’t know me,...
An Unparalleled Lesson in How to Lead Change
Want to know what’s in my new book? Here is the complete Introduction. Once you get a taste, I hope you will want more! As a leader you are responsible to make change happen when needed. Quickly. You have to adapt to shifts in customer behavior, labor shortfalls, and competitor attacks. You...
Coercing Change Works…Until it Doesn’t
Demographics demand change. With birth rates decreasing, the shrinking group of taxpayers will be unable to fund the pensions of retirees. It’s a problem facing every country. There are many solutions to the problem, but all of them carry a degree of pain. Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, chose the...
6 Steps to Change Your Life!
Like you, I’m attracted to headlines that promise simple steps to make life better: The amazing secret that can double your metabolism! Three secrets of investing that made one man millions These articles are about promoting changes in behavior. A recent Washington Post article offered 6 simple steps to build an...
Layoffs done right?
Layoffs suck for everyone. Previously I reviewed Jeffrey Pfeffer’s guidance that layoffs rarely create an organizational benefit. They are a net loss all around. In January Google announced 12,000 layoffs. You can imagine the churn it caused. Employees had questions and the CEO stepped up to provide answers. This is...
It’s OK to Take Your Eyes off of the Goal
Last week we looked at the need for a constant connection with the organization’s mission, priorities and goals. It’s the foundation for a sense of purpose during change, and absolutely critical when change is difficult. Why?Sometimes a constant reminder about the goal can have an effect opposite to what we want....
Operating with Two Timelines in Mind
The Weather Network shared a report that 259 people died between 2011 and 2017 in attempts to capture the perfect selfie. Eleven of them were going for the perfect shot at the Grand Canyon. They should have been looking up when they were looking down. This is the same problem faced by many...
