Last week, the Washington Post reported the results of the Oscars of the “management guru” world, which took place on the evening of Monday, Nov. 11, in London.
Did you made it to the list. Not to worry since more compelling than who’s on the list and who’s not is what the ranking tells regarding the topics on the minds of executives today. The first seven thinkers on the list are best known for their work on strategy, innovation, or design.
In a dampened economy full of uncertainties and turmoil, innovation is very much present in executives minds. But here is the problem. In the face of uncertainty and complex challenges people tend to feel stuck and overwhelmed. As a result, they resist transformation, which is the only way to get to innovation.
In a remarkably insightful book, Change or Die: The Three Keys to Change at Work and in Life, Alan Deutschman cites research into change-or-die scenarios. Patients facing bypass surgery and other diseases that can be mitigated by lifestyle changes. Even when faced with the reality that they must change or die, 90% don’t alter their behavior. They choose death over transformation. People in business are not much different.
Nevertheless, let’s focus on that 10% that chooses transformation. How do they do it? They. . .
- find fellowship that inspires them.
- reframe disaster as possibility.
- redefine the assumptions that up to then had guided their actions.
- use the disturbance in their life as an opportunity to spur their creative thinking and dream up a different future.
- experiment and learn from the surprises of what works and what doesn’t.
- design a process and cultivate a nutrient rich environment that supports openness.
- practice and sustain the effort of doing something different by dancing between periodic leaps and incremental shifts.
Most importantly, overall, they don’t do it alone.
As a leader, you need to shift your model. Instead of operating out of a “fortress mentality,” you must embrace the increasing complexity as an opportunity to create new ideas, new products and services, and new solutions.
Next week I will share with you why people choose death over transformation.
Remember. . .
Learn how to overcome your fears and turn turmoil into opportunity!!
The most important bit of advice coming out of the research was to get support, to not do it alone. That can’t be emphasized enough. There’s no need to spend your precious time and energy reinventing the wheel, not when I can help you find the way.
As an executive coach I can be an your support and help you be part of the successful 10% Contact me today and let’s discuss how I can help.
Photo by: Hubble Heritage