Seven principles of implementing change

Is change happening too fast in your world? Depending on your perspective, change can be scary or exciting - and whichever way you look at it, it is much easier to manage when you follow the simple process outlined below.


1. Generate new - don't repair old
Too much time can be spent repairing systems that don't work well or are outdated.  If something is no longer effective, generate new - ideas, thinking, systems - to meet the current situation.  This is limited only by your imagination (see previous blog post!).

2. It's feedback, not failure
The notion of failure is obselete.  Change means taking risks - and possibly not getting the results we thought we wanted.  Is this failure?  Or is it learning how to do things right the next time?  Think of it as feedback that will help you to move towards better results.

3. Influence and control are gained through flexibility
To influence, behavioural flexibility is the key.  Staying with a method because 'it's always been done that way' will ultimately create poor results, as other aspects change over time.
Consider what you can change about your thinking or behaviour that will result in a different and improved outcome.

4. Resistance in communication is ineffective communication by the leader
When someone is resistant to our ideas, it's tempting to think they either are not listening or they are reluctant to change.  What if instead, we choose to believe that we haven't communicated in an effective way.  How about asking 'what would you like to see happen' - this helps to build common ground, and to engage people in contributing ideas that perhaps you hadn't thought of.

5. People have all the resources they need within them to create change.
If you believe this of yourself and your team, then everything is available to you!  The inner resources that drive successful people are primarily desire, self belief, confidence and courage to take risks.  Develop these resources within yourself, and you can then encourage your team to do the same.

6. There is only perception of reality
Reality can only ever exist in the mind of the person observing.  Your reality cannot and will never be mine.  So therefore we only have perception to work with.
Learn to appreciate this, and you will open up the boundaries of possibility by appreciating that your reality can be extended by learning about other people's ways of looking at the world - and so can theirs.  Accept that your perception of reality is just that - perception - and the world will open up for you.

7. We are in charge of our mind, and therefore our results.
Imagine for a moment that you took 100% responsibility for your emotions.  No more saying 'he made me feel angry' or 'she stresses me out so much'.  How about instead saying 'I get angry when he does that' - and taking responsibility for your own emotion.  Are you going to choose to be angry, or to laugh it off?  What if every emotion you have is a choice?
Take 100% responsibility for your emotions, actions, choices and behaviours.  Anything less than that is giving away your opportunity to influence the results you want.

To learn more about this, please see our Active Life Matters website or contact us.