.jpg?tr=w-920%2Cfo-auto "Change")
Simple does not equal easy. If successfully leading change were easy, the 75 to 80 percent of all change efforts that fail, or at best produce only mediocre results, would be much lower. In years past, to grow and capture market share, the big would eat the small. In today's "commoditization economy" the game has changed significantly. Customers have more choices than ever. The battle to stand out from the competition will only escalate. We are in a brawl with no rules, where the fast, flexible and agile will eat and spit out the slow, overthinking and complacent. So, what are the keys to developing an agile organization that adapts to, embraces and institutes lasting key change strategies? Lessons learned over 25 years point to five simple and effective change leadership principles.
Accelerated achievement of desired results can be accomplished through consistent, focused attention over time on a few practical, pragmatic and memorable principles. However, it is a process that requires constant practice and application. The good news is these principles and skills can be learned, refined and perfected.
Intentional focus on these principles will ignite extraordinary results within your organization.
Decades of research have identified five principles and practices that propel organizations forward to blast through the common barriers, obstacles, challenges and inertia that derail most change efforts. These principles are not complicated -- they don't require an advanced degree or any specialized training. They are straightforward and accelerate achievement of desired change -- to help you achieve what matters most. They are:
1. Leadership and Management - The Correct Ratio Is Crucial
2. Becoming a Change Leader - Internalize Versus Externalize
3. True Urgency - Engage a Critical Mass
4. The Power of Volunteerism
5. Creating a Winnable Game
Frequency and consistency with these practices is the key -- not how well or skilled a leader may be with each of these. As leaders become deliberate and focused with these principles they strengthen their ability to lead and sustain crucial change efforts.
This is the first part of a six-part series. Read all six parts:
1. How to Lead Change and Accelerate Achievement
2. Leading and Managing Change
3. How to Be a Change Leader
4. How to Get Employees to Embrace Change
5. The Power of Volunteerism
6. How to Create a Culture of Winning
Mike Evans is a best-selling author/speaker and Managing Partner of QuestMark. Over the course of his career he has worked alongside a star studded list of world-renowned thought leaders such as Dr. Stephen Covey and Tom Peters.