Yes, you read that right. Leaders everywhere think their job is to create change across their team, organization or industry.
And they are all wrong.
You can create broad change across people and distance, but you can’t do it by changing the organization.
You can only achieve it by helping individuals make the choice to change.
In other words, organizations don’t change, people do.
Here are 5 ways you can help influence change:
Start with yourself. How easily are you influenced to change by someone who isn’t changing themselves? If you want to influence others to change, you must begin with yourself — your level of belief is critical to your success.
Open conversation. Too many changes are introduced with PowerPoint and polished, practiced presentations. Stop that approach! Introduce the situation and the need for change as you see it and have a conversation with people about their concerns, fears and ideas. Recognize their initial resistance not as threat but as energy to be used.
Pick the easy fruit first. In order to influence the entire group, start with individuals most likely to be open to the change. Going to these people first will help you build your confidence, and build a cadre of people to help influence others.
Engage their help. You don’t have to, and if you are trying to change a group of any size, you can’t, do it yourself. Engage those who are excited about the change. Support them with the same approaches you are using; encourage them to influence change one person at a time.
Be patient. Change isn’t always easy. Just because you have some early adopters on board today doesn’t mean everyone else will jump on the bandwagon tomorrow. When you realize that all change is individual, you see that it will take some time. Remember that if your change is important, your patience will be rewarded.
Kevin Eikenberry
Chief Potential Officer
The Kevin Eikenberry Group
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