Have you been here? … The boss: “Hey everyone, we’re excited to announce Project Phoenix! It will revolutionize the way we serve our customers. We are aiming to launch in six months, and yes it will be a tough push, but I know we can do it!” The team: “Sounds great! Who...
Earn goodwill with peas and queues
I've enjoyed a weeklong visit with my parents. They spoil me rotten and make me laugh in all the right ways. While my upbringing featured several wooden spoons broken over my backside (definitely deserved it!), there is no question I was "raised right." And when raising my kids I've tried...
How to Spark Motivation with One Simple Graphic
Fundraisers. I always picture an oversized thermometer slowly creeping upward as donations came in. Perhaps you recall the Cliff Hanger game on The Price is Right: Try and get that little mountain man as close to the top as possible without falling off! We love these images. Our desire to...
Why you need to buy someone a coconut today
Dreary. Boring. Incomprehensible. Inconvenient. Soul-sucking. Exasperating. These are just a few of the words that are commonly used to describe big transformation programs when you are in the midst of the grind, when the battery is running low and a few people on the project are getting crusty about the whole...
Are You Setting Your Change Up for Failure?
Last week I posed a challenge to my colleagues on a change management discussion board: Let’s stop saying “change is hard.” It received a resounding “YES!” I admit I was surprised as I’ve watched as many of my peers misled executives with that exact phrase. It’s scare-mongering and just plain...
Smile and Say Change!
There is a reason apps like Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook are so popular: We love to see people doing cool stuff. Images help us connect with people and experiences. They help us relate. Pictures can stir emotions. Who hasn’t smiled at a cat falling off the couch or a dog...
Plan for Everyday Failure Every Day
“Fail fast.” You’ve heard it before, and it’s good advice. When doing something new, push hard to try it quickly so you can rapidly determine if it’s not working and shut it down. Failing fast means learning fast so you can be more successful with the next idea.Typically this advice...
Kill the spiral: Block your thoughts
Changing behavior begins with changing your thoughts.We all get caught in negative thought spirals at times and it can be very hard to get out of them. Left to run too long, they take us into depression.Early in my career, I was my own worst enemy. I made a lot...
Timing your comms: If we tell them, will they panic?
I’m often asked about the best timing for important announcements, particularly when it’s for a complex or difficult change. “We don’t want people to panic!”No, of course we don’t. But they won’t. People panic when there is a physical threat to their lives. That makes sense. If Godzilla is marching...
A New Approach to Assessing Change Readiness
On a scale of 1 to 5 premium Tim Horton’s donuts (a very relevant scale in Canada!), how would you rate the following? I believe this change is necessary.My managers support the change.My peers support the change.I know what to do.I am prepared for this change. These are the standard...
