Today I want to write a little about how to change people. As leaders, we're asked to change the behavior of others all the time. Whether it is a "little thing" like changing the script our customer service reps use when they answer the phone, or a "big thing" like changing the way we think about customers, change is the currency of leadership.
One of the things I hear a lot is that people "resist" change. And you know what? They do, especially when the change is handed to them as a mandate. One way to break that pattern of resistance is to give people a say "however small" in what the change will be.
Why does engagement work? Simple - When we invite people to create a change, it puts them in a different mindset. Think back to a child you know (or the child you were) coloring a picture with crayons. If you were to point at the picture and say "No, that is wrong, you need to do it this way" you are likely to upset them. If you pull out a fresh sheet of paper, give them the color you want them to use, and say "Let's draw an apple." they are ready to begin creating.
We are like those children - all grown up in our business suits. We are not built to follow orders blindly, but we do have a deep capacity for creativity and making an even better future. As leaders we can tap into that ability for more creative solutions and less resistance to change.
As leaders, we can shape the future by helping people make good choices as they create. (Think about that Mom handing over a red crayon instead of the whole box.) And the good news is that people will generally make something better than we could have conceived alone.
Give people permission to create. Set some boundaries so they are achieving what the organization needs. And then sit back and be delighted by what they come up with.
Life is a playground. Our toys are different, and the stakes are different, but there is a lot we can gain by capturing the creativity of the people around us.
Just some thoughts for a rainy Tuesday.
If you'd like some strategies for building creativity in your team - check out the free resources page on my new website. The download is free.
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