The most enduring change initiatives — those that drive real results — are based on leaders’ assumption that they are seeing only part of the picture and thus need to learn more. These leaders ask hard questions and engage in trade-offs as early as possible.
– Maya Townsend (founder, Partnering Resources) & Elizabeth Doty (Founder, Leadership Momentum)
Takeaways of Note:
Improve, refine & pressure test proposed change….
No easy answers – when hard questions are minimized, change may not work once underway
Avoid temptation to rush in – do the work needed up front for momentum & speed later (don’t overlook stakeholders, validate plans, don’t ignore critical conversations)
Engage with the “other side” – critical voices are important to break through superficiality & to develop the thinking needed
Model vulnerability & lack of omniscience – be willing to be influenced & acknowledge that elements of the change still need to be figured out
Engage both peers & top leaders – change occurs in a complex ecosystem with many cause-and-effects; no one has the full picture; investments made in one area may affect another
Trade-offs of engaging trade-offs – team members are not just implementers, but innovators… engaging trade-offs and hard questions creates a stronger, longer-lasting change