Better Change Communication

Get a 5-step plan for better change communication. Having trouble viewing this email? Click here Change is everywhere. And while it may seem impossible to accelerate your change initiatives with all that is already going on around you, I believe that there are four change accelerators that when applied, will help you lead change more readily and literally accelerate your success.  Have an Elastic Mind People are motivated by a clear "why" – the reason a change will make a difference to them and their lives. This requires leaders to communicate a desirable vision of the future. People need to see and focus on this desired big picture; however, if you only "live" in that future, you make no progress. Progress is further hampered when people love the picture of the future but don’t know how to get there. Here is where our minds must become elastic. We must think about the future while thinking about the steps we must take today. Think big picture future and "what will I do today" at the same time. As you develop an elastic mind that can think about both now and the future, you will accelerate your speed of change. Take Two Steps at Once Too often leaders focus attention on communicating the change as the first step. While communication is critical, we accelerate change when we don’t consider communication as the first step by itself. Rather, greater success will occur when you communicate as you carry out actions that lead to the change. Communicate and carry out actions concurrently, rather than in an ordered, step-by-step (and perhaps slower) approach. Ecuadorians Want Ice More Than Eskimos Think about it. Folks in Ecuador are warmer, and ice might be a bit harder to come by. Eskimos, on the other hand, will likely find ice (or a suitable replacement) right outside their door. Who are your Ecuadorians? Who is predisposed to your ideas for change? Who has, in the past, been most adaptable to new change? Who are those who always seem to be the first ones that jump on board with a change? These are your Ecuadorians, and it makes much more sense to do what you can to get them engaged in your change efforts first. Do Eskimos buy ice? Most of them do, but they aren’t the most likely to be interested first. The message is clear: don’t give up on those who typically are slower to adopt a change, but don’t obsess when they don’t come on board right away. Small Leads to Big Even if the change you are leading or wanting to implement is huge, small steps are required. Break the change down into smaller projects and change elements. Of course you need to keep the big picture in mind so all of the individual pieces will be contributing to the ultimate goal, but by creating smaller pieces you can create a positive momentum and give people a chance to see success and build confidence. While there can be magic in each of these four ideas, action and communication are key components of each of them. If you want to accelerate your progress towards change, consider these four tactics and always remember communication and action.   p.s. Want a 5-step plan for better change communications? Join me on January 2 for a brand new teleseminar, Remarkable Change Leader. Learn more here. UPCOMING TELESEMINAR: Remarkable Change Leader: A 5-Step Plan for More Persistent, Consistent and Better Change Communications Date: January 2, 2-14 Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET This email was sent to this email address: alanrussell@princetoncap.com   The Kevin Eikenberry Group | 8021 Westover Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268 United States | (317) 387-1424 Update My Contact Information | Unsubscribe