November 1, 2021
Good morning! A belated Happy Feast of All Hallow’s Eve — or, if you prefer, Happy Feast of YOU today. We’ve reached November… and is it possible to NOT think about Gordon Lightfoot?
Remember the decades-old debate about the metric system vs. the English system and how the metric system would destroy our way of life if we (the U.S.) adopted it? It’s not dissimilar in a less-tragic sort of way to the viral plague now pillaging the countryside. Of course, if ever adopted there might not be a cure for the metric system — and that would be tragic.
- Do you flip your calendar before going to bed or do you wait until morning? Do you still use an ink-on-paper calendar?
- We have yet to achieve a killing frost in our yard.
- According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources there is a 90% chance of a light frost (*32 F) by October 19th each year.
- And, according to the same source, there is a 90% chance of a killing frost (*24 F) by November 9th each year.
- I couldn’t find the longitudinal range of data, nor the ground-zero source of the data, and gave up trying; sorry.
- Have you watched the live video images generated by the International Space Station as it rockets through space?
- That is, if you’ve nothing better to do? Give it a few minutes sometime.
- Test yourself on how long it takes to identify the location being filmed: Space Station Live
- Helpful hint: This is much more difficult when there is cloud cover or darkness.
The Eight Step Process for Leading Change
- This is old, but bears repeating, plus there is really nothing new under the sun… just different people looking at old things in a new way.
- A friend and reader recommended I take another look at this — which I happily did.
- John Kotter (Harvard, 1996) wrote a book, The Eight Step Process for Leading Change.
- Create a Sense of Urgency
Help others see the need for change through a bold, aspirational opportunity statement that communicates the importance of acting (and acting now).
2. Build a Guiding Coalition
A volunteer army needs a coalition of effective people — born of its own ranks — to guide it, coordinate it, and communicate its activities.Form a strategic vision and initiatives (where have you heard that before?! We call them imperatives, but the same thing.)Clarify how the future will be different from the past and how you can make the future a reality through initiatives linked directly to the vision.
3. Enlist a volunteer army
Large-scale change can only occur when massive numbers of people rally around a common opportunity.
4. Enable Action by Removing Barriers
Removing barriers such as inefficient processes and hierarchies provides the freedom necessary to work across silos and generate real impact.
5. Generate Short-Term Wins
Wins are the molecules of results. They must be recognized, collected, and communicated — early and often — to track progress and energize volunteers to persist.
6. Sustain Acceleration
Press harder after the first successes. Your increasing credibility can improve systems, structures, and policies. Be relentless with initiating change after change until the vision is a reality.
7. Institute Change
Articulate the connections between the new behaviours and organizational success, making sure they continue until they become strong enough to replace old habits.
- All of the above is somewhat intuitive and much easier said than done.
- Which is why it’s often wise to engage an outside coach or consultant to help keep you on track.
