Nothing Changes When Nothing Changes

Today I was reminded of some really good principles in the John Kotter book, Leading Change.

John is the  co-founder of Kotter International.  As business consultancy firm they apply Kotter's research on leadership, strategy execution, transformation, and any form of large-scale change to businesses of all sizes.
I believe these principles apply to both my business and my personal life. 

Here’s what John’s book has taught me:

1.  Establish a sense of urgency.  So, what am I dissatisfied  with?
2.  Form a guiding coalition. Leading change of any size requires getting buy in from people around me.  Does our mission and values align and are we committed to our future.
3.  Develop a vision and strategy.  Have we put in the time to really develop a vision that attracts  and drives action?
4.  Communicate the vision.  This one is a favorite.  Do I communicate our vision effectively. Without great communication, a vision is a mere dream.  Mr. Kotter is right—“Behavior from important people that is inconsistent with the vision overwhelms other forms of communication.”

5.  Empower others to act.  Do I empower and deploy others for action?  Have I removed obstacles?
6.  Generate short-term wins.  Have I identified and complimented others around me? I remember being taught as a parent that it takes 7 praises  to counteract one put-down comment!7.  Consolidate improvements and produce more change.  Effective change gives me more credibility to keep making changes.
8.  Anchor new approaches in the culture.  Great culture is what helps us thrive. Again,  Kotter stated: “Culture is not something you manipulate easily. Culture changes only after people’s actions have been changed”

A semiannual habit of mine is to take half a day alone and consider changes I need to make.  I ask myself:
Who am I?  What am I doing?  How will I reach my goals?   When will I implement change?  Finally, if I continue on my current path will I be where I want to be in six months?

If  the answer is NO --- What needs to change?  Time is of the essence for me in both my business and my personal life.

I don’t know about you, but years ago I learned, “Nothing changes, When nothing changes!”


It really is true, “This world will simply push me through---I must be strong and open to all the constant change I need to make in order to stay up with this fast paced world.”