Change, few people like it!
Have you ever met someone who wasn’t happy unless he or she was going through some massive change? Perhaps there are a few individuals in this world who thrive on uncertainty, enjoy feeling insecure, and love to have their routines disrupted.
But I think it would be safe to say that most people resist changing now and then, mainly when it affects an idea, position, or practice that is near and dear to them.
Although people in leadership roles are often called upon to be agents of change, I have found that leaders resist change as much as followers do! As you might guess, that poses a big problem in this world of rapid transition and constant flux. As John Maxwell wrote in his book, Developing the Leader Within You, “Unchanged leaders equals unchanged organisations.”
The willingness to change? That’s an exciting concept.
Consider this formula for change:
D x V + F > R
The formula states that D (dissatisfaction) times V (vision) plus FS (first step) has got to be higher than R (resistance). Are you dissatisfied with where you and your business are currently at? Do you have a vision for where it could be? Are you willing to take steps to move your business in that direction, or is the resistance that you anticipate going to be too strong to change?
Let’s spend a few moments on each of these thoughts:
1. Even though a person’s Dissatisfaction level is excellent, if there is no clear vision of what success looks like, then there is a very slim chance that the person will be willing to move on.
2. On the other hand, a person may have an excellent Vision for where they would like to be, but if their dissatisfaction levels with their current situation are not great, then the likelihood for change is not good.
3. To make a change, to move on from where we are right now, we need to initiate a First Step, a real and substantial catalyst for change.
4. Resistance is the most exciting and probably the most challenging. Resistance can be external or internal, but the most considerable strength is usually inner…it’s what we say to ourselves. That little voice inside that will either make us or break us. It often comes down to this simple cliché… “If you think you can or if you think you can’t, either way, you’re right!”
So remember the next time you’re contemplating change and that little voice is talking to you… “It’s what you say to yourself, about yourself, when you’re by yourself that matters most”.
Have a great week!
I cover the whole south-west region of the UK including Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire and South Wales, if you are looking for someone to hold you to account why not book a 1:1 session here to see what coaching could deliver for you and your business if you were a little more accountable.
