Friday, March 29, 2013

How to Affect Change(Part II)


The above technical change differs significantly from a cultural change which represents an entirely different set of dynamics.  There is an old saying if you want to compete today, invest in technology, if you want to compete tomorrow invest in people.  The reason is simple, capital and technology investments have a unique absence of personalities.  Some would say that life would be easier without such personalities but they do add value despite the required investment in time and human energy towards shifting the culture of an organization.  That's right, we are talking about a cultural shift.  For all the emotionalism that comes with cultural change, so too do improvements in the relationships attached internally and externally.  Unlike capital and other technology investments, human nature is non-linear.  Unexpected shifts in human behavior in response to change can put an organization on lock-down, forcing leadership to make unpleasant decisions.  Such decisions can result in loss of intellectual capital, meaningful relationships with clients and disrupt the infrastructure.  Yet, in such scenarios, staffing changes can be an organizational imperative.  Leadership must lead, or assess their ability to do so and possibly make even more personal decisions regarding the choice to continue heading up an organization.

Leaderships role is to set the tone for change.  Creating a clear direction under their vision is critical.  Expectations must be established in order to fully and effectively implement change.  Communication needs to be unified and adhered to, in order to ensure continuity.  Checking in with departments following an organization-wide message(delivered initially by the CEO) is essential.  The departmental leaders will be responsible for oversight of the execution of the message.  Reporting upward, managers and directors will have used tools to assess progress as they set milestones; where in most cases have initial benchmarks (this is especially true when technology is part of the change) will be a prerequisite.  Tools come in the form of research, procurement training, consultants etc.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

How to Affect Change(Part I)


Change can be a menacing endeavor.  Within an organization, whatever troubles that were created from the evolution of your company (mismanagement, lack of insight, inability to adapt to the changing landscape), will increase with the suggestion of change.  Though there are many approaches it is important to keep a couple of things in mind.

There are two primary categories that are the heartbeat of an organizations 1) technical areas and 2) cultural areas.

Briefly, the technical aspect deals with a more direct or assertive approach to the systems that can affect change.  These systems include software and hardware updates, capital investments etc. that will improve the systems performance without regard to people(generally speaking).  If production is down it could be time to research and invest in new equipment.  A genuine and in depth relationship must exist between the departments responsible for areas, i.e. the technology department(technology) or plant/ equipment managers.  This decision allows members of the team to research performance needs, production enhancements, alignment between what the organizational goals are and any acquisitions being made.  More on that later.

The purpose of the investment in technology demonstrates a clear and intentional move towards change with an immediate impact.  Large capital and technology investments are simple in many ways because they produce very specific output and help to achieve targeted outcomes-- similar to how a scientist might think.  Their course is set only by the limitation of people's abilities, the design of the product based on need, and the amount of money you can afford to invest.  Perhaps the most important aspect of such an investment is the leaderships clarity of what the future goals of the organization are and how such an investment gets them closer to achieving that goal.

(parts 2,3 and 4 will be published over the next two weeks)

Regards,
Scotland

(Scotland is a management consultant specializing in strategic planning and organization development)

How to Affect Change(Part III)


Human nature should not allow an organization to be shut down, but it does mean that time will be required to implement change.  You can not create an environment where individuals feel threatened to the change, rather they should feel encouraged to support the effort.  What does this mean and how is it accomplished?  Consider a scenario with Mary Elizabeth who worked in the technology for 25 years; Mary was well respected and established in her ways.  Mary Elizabeth might be in need of a little prodding due to her resistance to the new direction of the company having long established controls, processes and tradition in her work flow.  Even the shift in roles and responsibilities might present a challenge.  In this case you might want to begin by explaining how the current condition would continue to present further setbacks, that support for change is expected from new comers as well as veterans.  And following up with the something like the valuable knowledge that she offers in terms of parts of the old system that are successful and yet areas that require a new infusion in order to meet the organizational changes.  Detailing how these changes should be felt and thus should be implemented throughout, that each department and individual will be held accountable is a key part of the communication.

Another important event that needs to occur is integration.  Once an assessment of the players on the team, the affected stakeholders, and the technology or capital investments required is done, a solid plan should be sketched for how these new ideologies will fit together.  A special implementation team at the highest level is a good idea.  Here is where you discover the depth of your work. By this time the adjustments in staffing are in motion, determining what technical support structures are needed all come together.  Remember testing is still occurring during this phase (on the capital or technology side,) as the programs or equipment needed still requires benchmarks to determine the level of effective integrity for your organizations needs.  Suppliers should play a key role here as well, so you don't have to make a full investment until your gains can be fully realized.  The other side of the confidence comes in having the right players on your team who can accurately test for the necessary design integrity, maximizing productivity.  While this is occurring you are simultaneously preparing your team around the required cultural changes.

Friday, March 22, 2013

New York, Personal Development, Journeys and Paths

New York City, just having recovered from an unexpected amount of snowfall the night before, I am sitting in my hotel room after benefiting from doing one of my favorite things.  Being caught off readiness for a few brief unexpected moments, with an individual.  As a member of my client group, she wanted to talk about my philosophy around happiness as it relates to personal development.

These conversations tend to be heart-felt and meaningful.  Because it takes me to a space I truly enjoy being in, I am always glad to fit it into my schedule-- even unexpectedly.  Events such as this also help me reinforce what I believe deeply; that once you understand happiness, you will never allow yourself to go back to any other permanent space.  Maintaining a state of happiness is or understanding how to achieve it can be technical in that there can often provide steps to get closer to where one might want to be (you will have to where that is for yourself in many cases).

The conversation began with asking how I got to be where I am.  A very provocative questions, much more meaningful than a simple what do you do.  I understood instantly what she meant; it had nothing to do with me being great or impressive, but everything to do with seeking a pathway to arrive at a place of peace, fulfillment, continuation of your journey that has meaning and is not just an activity based obligation.

There are some simple rules to follow the first of which is to be humble.  I consider it a great honor to be asked question such as this because it means that I am on the right path.  To be worthy to be asked a question about something is a great responsibility; it means second, that you have a responsibility to be honest and truthful, as well as liberal about what you are about to... third) share (the true gift of sharing is not to expect anything in return, similar to the gift of giving).  My genuine hope is that my words help others to grow, not because of who one might be or their status, but because of what exists that is able to be seen if only looked upon the right way.  This revelation comes because of the way something is said or presented not to the credit of who is saying it.  The balance of giving and receiving can be found here, and explains why one must give liberally; you will at some point also receive equally.  Why? Because the doors of opportunity open and we become more understanding of those doors as portals to where we should be directing our energies for our next movement, as we give and share. These are Windows (for me), many of which I have.

My Windows allow me to explore how to improve my capacities in the human experience; the capacity to listen, Love, understand, be more effective, advance my goals, and get closer to being the person that I am in pursuit of.  One example is sailing.  Sailing moves my soul in a very personal way, whether sailing with someone or alone it ups my level of connection with myself, the environment, even my work objectives; it provides me with the space to find out where I am with something, removes any clutter and repairs areas within I didn't know needed my attention.  Each person has these Windows, but they are not always understood.

I have chosen Windows because they metaphorically and literally are very important in my life.  I need to see things clearly.  In my work I need to be able to see clearly what my clients need to align and clear certain systems.  With my personal activities I may need to see clearly why I am doing something and with what purpose.  I can better arrive a answers that make sense and add continuity to my actions, improving my results overall.

...How did I arrive in the space I am now?  Many years of self examination, empirical data, technical understandings, and a continual search to be driven by where I am not yet.  I suppose it is an obsession to be right with all things (possible or not, from a practical perspective), but man is not always practical.   My destination is ahead of me and my hope is to catch up to it one day.  In the process, I will continue to work on myself, offer what I learn as a tool for others only if they would like to receive it; and leave the space I occupy better then when my person occupied it.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Ready for Something Old, That's New

Words from a friend, memories of our past; a change that is familiar.  This is where this short story begins- at the end.

Yesterday I tracked down an old friend.  Curious as to whether the effort to do so even made sense, while going through the hoops of making phone call after phone call, through the city's resources.  Are my expectations too high; are we even in the same place-- in terms of our thinking.

No this isn't about Love, but I have a strong belief that good friendships form when the elements in the Universe are aligned, and the path of two individuals or more cross.  Something amazing happens; it could be that each person just needed to hang out and have a beer; it could be that each person was growing past where they were and evolving into someone/ something new; it could be that it was just the right place and the right time to connect.

These types of events have occurred at different times in my, Guatemala once when I encountered a mixture of international Spanish studying students from Germany, USA, Sweeden and Switzerland all converged in a small town Antigua among the hills in Central America.  One of the best chance encounter experiences of my life.  Interestingly enough, I always associated these encounters with meeting new people, never friends from the past.

We often make the mistake that these events only happen when we fall in Love or get romantic; I am here to tell you some of the most amazing friends I have ever met had nothing to do with romance, but more the right place at the right time.  These are friends for life; these relationships bare the gift of being able to pick up where they left off.

That is where my story picks up.  After calling several city departments, fire stations, and waiting for an emergency to complete it's cycle, etc. I caught up with my friend.  The best thing I could have expected that day was his reaction to my call.

His words were simple "I'm ready for something old, that's new".  This was his response after inquiring about his well being, his family and life in general.  I was glad to hear that he was doing well and even more glad that an old friend, despite the decades that had passed, that the friendship and memories we had as children was strong enough to withstand the test of time.  If nothing else occurred and we never met again, those few words held a lifetime of meaning.  That statement said it all.  There is no substitute for the strength of friendship that has stood the test of time.

If you have this friend, go out and find them.  It will be worth the effort.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Being Happy

by Scotland Willis

1. Make friends and family a priority.

2. Identify your windows: These are the things that as part of your life, can put you "en-joy". E.g. windows are my windows, sailing is a window, hiking is a window, gardening is a window.

3. Commit to being happy: Identify 10 things that make you happy; promise yourself each day you will do at least one of them; you will spend the rest of your life being happy.

4. My daily affirmation: Give me the determination to persevere and the perseverance to endure. For me there isn't one "most important thing" that determines our happiness. We are too complex.