The traditional model of change is the one I call ‘destination’ type, that is, how to go from A to Z, fixing something, achieving something, installing something.
An entire lucrative industry of ‘Steps’ has been created around it. Successful or not (and most people agree to an average of 30% success), that was it. Done. Here is the bill. Learning? What do you mean? Yes, learning, I mean. Well, we have just finished and done, arrived at Z.
Another problem, another challenge, M&A, cultural transformation, customer-centrism, safety culture, digitalization, agility? Well, we’ll start again.
There is slow learning in one-off (‘steps’) change management methods, so they carry a fair amount of opportunity lost, and, dare I say, waste.
It’s 2022! We can’t afford this! We need an approach in which we arrive at Z with enough ‘capability built in’ to tackle the next one, and the next one, and the next one. It’s Z today, N tomorrow, X next month. So be it. The system is here ready to tackle it. A change management method that does not build change-ability/change-capability, is a waste. Of course many of those approaches would claim that they do but look carefully and see what you find beyond the expensive slide pack. You may be surprised how much empty space there is. I suppose, you can call the same consultants again?
So, is there something that builds that long term
capability, whilst, at the same time, reaching
that destination or destinations?
Yes. It’s called a Mobilizing Platform, which for us is Viral Change™. What matters in Viral Change™ is to create the behavioural DNA conditions , the ‘structures’, the ‘governance’, the rules of the game in which the company does not need another ‘method’ any more. The way of dealing with any of these examples of challenges or transformation as above, is now embedded. Change-ability is inside. It’s a way of life.
The change method is dead. The ‘implanted’ Mobilizing Platform takes care of any method, so much that the word method disappears from the vocabulary.
Although everything could be considered ‘a method’ (a method is a trick that you have used twice before), not many people would talk about ‘your leadership method’ or ‘your management method’ or ‘your cultural method’.
Change should get exactly the same treatment.
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If you want to learn more – join me for a LinkedIn Live session later today hosted by Sinan Si Alhir called: De-X-Constructed: Remarkable Organisations & Social Movements Powered by Viral Change™.
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For a deep dive into the 5 Principles of Viral Change™ listen to this podcast from The Culture Lab, where I’m interviewed by Aga Bajer.
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If you want to discuss your behavioural and cultural change needs – let’s talk. Contact me at: [email protected] and my team will arrange a suitable time for us.
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