Clients commonly want to know when to get a change pro involved. “Is it too soon?” The answer is always the same: “Sooner is better.” No one likes an unwelcome surprise. It doesn’t matter how positive your change is; while some embrace it and flourish, others will see it as...
How to Move People with a Single Expression
I was looking at the above picture and a word came to mind immediately: Transformation. I insist that you look at the entire photo series of people when they smile (#3 is my favorite). Go now! (And then come back!) Have you ever listened to a dull speech? No you haven't, because you...
Every Process Needs a Champion
Early in my career the phrase "throwing it over the fence" caught my attention and I got it right away. Processes often fail at the connection points between departments. "It's their problem now." It's easy to stop caring when we can't see who is on the other side of the...
Miscues, Misrepresentation, Mistakes, and Adoption
“You know what? I’d be very happy to resign, because this is not fun. Yesterday I said I must have a blood pressure of 220 over 140 and I think I’m going to die of a heart attack. That’s how bad it is. Because seriously, you try to take the...
Testers are Change Agents, Too!
Every project I'm engaged with eventually asks, "Who should we ask to help test the change?" Leaders want to use their best people - preferably those who have already have some background with the change. People who typically follow the rules. We need a few angry testers - folks who...
How to Get Your Team Back to the Office
You know what's even better than a good party? The after-party! Those exclusive get-togethers where the real action happens; news is sparked and deals are made. Zoom meetings have extinguished the after-party.Remember when we used to get together in meeting rooms at the office? The little huddles that occurred afterwards, inside...
The Single Biggest Motivator for Change
You know that feeling when you're tired and upon arrival at the hotel the clerk says, "I'm sorry Mr. Skipper..."? Your heart drops. On a trip to Toronto I was checking in at The Grand only to hear this fateful phrase. My room was not available, but because of my...
Why We Check for ‘Readiness’ AFTER Go-Live
Mission Accomplished! The project is complete and now we transition to hypercare / warranty period / super support and sustainment. Regardless of the buzzword you choose, every project focuses on ironing out the many wrinkles that come with a complicated change as they wind down the work. So why run...
60 Days In…How Do You Know Where You’re Project Is?
Have you participated in a "lessons learned" debrief at the end of a project (or as one of my clients sarcastically called it, "lessons documented")? While there are rarely major a-ha moments, one conclusion caught my attention recently: The importance of predicting the future. I'm sure you recognize that a...
How Fun Can Sabotage Your Project
I'm working on a very complex project - lots of moving parts. As a team, we are looking at ways to motivate people to share our one-page information sheets, inject our slides into team meetings, and encourage peers to sign up for training.Why not a contest? I've run fun little competitions...
