[su_dropcap style=”flat”]T[/su_dropcap]ODAY, I BET EVERY single person that we are working with was at some point exposed to some level of change or transformation in their life. Some changes we found to be unpleasant or uncomfortable while others were fun, exciting, and worthwhile. If you happen to be one that never experienced any change as of yet, I would love to have a word with you!
The fact is that a transformation is a specific kind of change that we need to understand thoroughly and tackle on a team level through consistently evolving paradigm shifts. Transformations are complex, and they require leaders’ perspective as well as input from others in response to transformation to ensure it is not only successful, but that it is indeed effective. That is where the high-performance impact comes in place! Why? Regardless of our performing duties, either as senior managers or executive leaders, we have to face more and more highly visible transformation efforts and programs every day.
The bigger question is, are we ready to execute high-performance impact?
Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results, not attributes.”
~ Peter Drucker
So many are stuck talking about the specific leadership attributes (yes, they are important too) while missing the bigger picture of delivering concrete results. The execution may be sound too harsh, but what we all are seeking are specific measurable outcomes and accomplishments, right? What does it take to make needed change and transformation occur timely and efficiently? Or is it something else?
Nothing rings so true in my ears as this powerful statement:
Change is the heartbeat of growth”
~ Scottie Somers
As a poster child of change and transformation, according to business leaders and executives I encountered over last several decades, I feel that as the result of the change, I was able to experience tremendous growth. And trough that growth, I was able to accomplish so much with positive outcomes.
Through my Change Management Consulting efforts, I think it is time to give change, a fear free or, at least, less threatening meaning. It is time to have a positively charged feeling or thinking process, first starting with us individually, before expecting it from others. As we all know too well, any progress, especially impactful development, is impossible to reach without change. So why we are so stuck on change? It is part of the daily process, and it should be approached as yet another daily routine we all had to do. Some things are just not negotiable or optional! Change is one of them.
Secret to High Performance Impact: Constant Improvement & Constant Change!
When I am asked “Izabela, what is your secret to successful change implementation?” I can’t help but smile. Often we expect a silver bullet or magical solution that will give us a quick fix. In reality, it can be quick but only if we allow ourselves to learn from people that we are working with on daily basis. Yes, our employees, vendors, clients, mentors, mentees – everyone and anyone we can learn from if we are open to it.
The more we learn, the more ready we are to plan! No other way around it – that is why so many plans, programs, or projects fail or do not work out. That is why things “don’t go according to the plan” and “someone has to be held accountable”. That is why we just can’t miss and mix the steps in the process of impactful and meaningful change and transformation.
When planning is conducted on the team level, the key is to start with what we got. All of us could do “this and that, if only…” right? Me too! But what we can do where we are at with what we got? That is the real art of transformation and change with opportunity for innovative, problem solve, collaborate and engage the team to reach high-performance impact.
But this can’t happen unless leadership team is willing to step up with their skills in change leadership to transform the organization. Today too many leaders or players are ”winging it” as they go. And it shows everywhere! By building a solid foundation of what we already know and got with the best leaders in the house, we may not need extensive external help. Perhaps we could accomplish so much through the body or guiding coalition with transformation roadmap on the path to success.
Nothing, in the end, gives more satisfaction to individuals and teams during the change and transformation when the primary task get accomplished, and everyone knows that they have done it by themselves. The feeling of pride, through personal contribution and tremendous added value is the priceless and most powerful engine in any organization, regardless how big or small.
Why not create the future we know we are capable of creating together. Dare to be future innovators, transformational leaders, and change agents by showing what is possible through individual and team high-performance impact contribution starting today! Game On Champions!
