Five Juicy Change Questions
Five juicy change questions
We’re 14 episodes along in the Change Signal pod, and I’ve spent some time distilling a few of the juicy questions that have emerged.
There’s a cornucopia. These guests are so smart. But in the end, I’ve got these five to offer you today.
1. Creation or change: What’s your language? (David Lancefield)
Language really matters. When I started in this world, it was all “change management,” and since then it’s moved on to “change,” flirted with “transformation,” doubled down on “digital transformation,” and seems to have come back to “change.” Or maybe not. Maybe now it’s just “everything.”
And if we’re confused, imagine what it’s like when you’re not in it so much as being subjected to it!
So what do you call this thing we do? When we say “change” or “transformation,” it’s useful to know we might just be triggering resistance from everyone we hope will be on our side.
David tells us:
"I tend to use more words that focus on creation rather than change. If you talk about ‘How do we create something? How do we make something which will involve change?’ I think it triggers different emotions."
Listen to the full conversation with David here.
2. What’s the dragon protecting? (Dr. Liane Davey)
I remember one time when we sweepingly labelled all the managers as “the frozen middle,” that great slab of people who were going to be against our ambitious change plans.
It might be true, as Bobby Kennedy (not the ‘health’ one) said, that “25% of people are against everything all the time.” But it’s more the way we respond to them. Not up for my change? Well, it’s obvious You vs. Me.
But what if they were champions for something that mattered? What if they were, in fact, reminding us of something precious? Here’s Liane’s memorable metaphor:
"If the dragon is breathing fire, it's because they're protecting treasure."
You find not just dragons, but tents and rowers in Liane’s episode, which you can listen to here.
3. What if you added “vibe” to your metrics? (Dr Jason Fox)
Deciding what to measure as part of the change project is always a slippery task. Some things are too small, some too big, some trailing, some leading … sometimes it can feel like you’re trying to track the entire world, other times you’re groping forward in the dark. And even when you find something to hang on to, I was always reminded that what can be measured can be manipulated.
It’s clear that Jason’s a philosopher and a provocateur in his episode, willing to poke at the standard ways of doing things. He knows full well that things need to be measured, but suggested an alternative or perhaps an addition. Here’s how Jason puts it:
"Vibe is a beautiful word that articulates complex nonlinear emergent dynamics that are, if you were trying to put your finger on anything specific, too weak or too imprecise."
Jason’s full episode awaits your pleasure here.
4. Where are your best leverage points? (Dan Heath)
One of my bosses had a screensaver: “When you chase two rabbits, you catch neither.” I’ve found that out through a thousand other metaphors. Rolling too many peanuts forward. Throwing too much spaghetti at the wall. Hoping that a flurry of activity will make up for not knowing what the real challenge was.
Dan Heath’s got a long history of making complicated ideas feel doable, and his latest book on change is no different. He resets the idea of the theory of constraints in a practical way. Here’s how he puts it:
"When we're trying to change systems, find a leverage point within the system, a place where a little bit of investment yields a disproportionate return."
Dan’s episode is ready for your listening pleasure even as we speak.
5. What euphemisms are disguising your intentions? (Margaret Heffernan)
Who hasn’t listened to a leader’s speech and wondered, just what are they actually talking about? Change projects often bring out the metaphor, the euphemism, and the jazz hands.
“Don’t worry about the details, it’s going to be fine. Onwards!” Margaret is a straight-shooter, and has no time for that. It’s nothing against metaphor, it’s the patronizing infantilization she objects to. She’s appropriately blunt about explaining her point:
“If you're doing a cost-cutting program. Call it that. Let's not pussyfoot around. You fool nobody, and you just make people incredibly cynical."
You can hear what else Margaret has no time for here.
Which one strikes a chord for you?
Each of these insights shines a light on a different part of the change process. Some are about big picture things, others are about the details. They all matter.
Which one felt most helpful for you today?
Pod Wisdom: Stop searching for agreement
Adam Kahane, from the Change Signal episode "You have to work with the resistance.":
"You're not going to be able to figure it out before you start. You're not going to be able to have the right answer and get everybody to agree to it. You're not going to be able to tell people what to do. You're going to have to feel your way. What do we agree on? What do we not agree on? What do we have in common? What's different? What can we try next? What's my role in this?”
Listen to the full episode with Adam Kahane now
Adam Kahane has worked to change social systems at all scales for over thirty years. His most recent book is Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems.
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The Last Word
“Thousands of people don’t like what I do. Fortunately, millions do.”
~ James Patterson
