Fast Cars and Tornadoes
Like a teenager driving a muscle car for the first time,
“Let’s see what this thing can do!!”
That is how we feel on an ownership team when our business is experiencing rapid expansion, private equity investments, or growth by acquisition. We feel nervous excitement about the acceleration that significant new resources will bring to our dreams for the business.
Our teams see it very differently, like a tornado of change coming at them. They are not in control, so they resist and brace to protect themselves.
"Is my job on the line now?"
"Will the new owners know what I actually do?"
"Do my 10-20 years of hard work still count?"
XM TRUTH: You can’t move systems, processes, and performance forward without the Heads and Hearts of your team. Resistance to change is the normal human instinct; expect it. Recruiting Heads and Hearts will reduce the resistance.
Awareness: Bring your team into the conversation as early as possible. Show them initial plans and get their input before every decision is locked in.
Acceptance: Input precedes buy-in. Bonus: Most of the time, their input will make your changes better, then faster. Ask questions and do lots of listening.
Commitment: We can really put the foot on the gas when the majority of the team is bought in and understands the Why and the way forward.
Over the next few weeks, we’re breaking down change leadership ideas you can use this quarter, starting with Heads and Hearts.
GUT CHECK: If your team doesn’t understand the Why behind your big change, the system upgrade isn’t your biggest risk.
Awareness x Acceptance x Commitment > Resistance.
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