CHANGE...It's a word we have all heard quite a bit of over the past few months! With Barack Obama moving into office we have been exposed to many different initiatives to make a "change". This blog is not my opportunity to jump on my political soapbox but, more so, an opportunity for me to address a key aspect of any leader's role...Promoting change!
While change can be encouraging, it should not be the focus of any leader! A true leader focuses on the vision...on the RESULT of the change! Too many times we hear of a vision built around change when the change should only be a bi-product of an inspiring vision!
Details...Details...Details, Jason...
What is the difference between motivating people through change versus vision?
The fact is, change can be very uncomfortable! Tommy Hopkins said "the price of progress is the pain of change!"
That being said, a follower will only endure the pain of the change if they believe in the vision!
Many times people may get excited about the idea of change but they quickly fade because they are blind to the purpose behind the change!
When I was in high school we had a very good golf team. Many felt that we would be a strong contender for the state championship. At the beginning of the year our coach asked us..."Do you want to win State? Do you want those rings?" It was on overwhelming yes! Our coach then said, "Well, that means that we will have to take our preparation to another level! We will practice in good weather and bad! We will outwork every other team...and we WILL win the State Championship!"
Pretty inspiring huh?
We wanted to started working right then and there! We welcomed the chance to "outwork" our competition!
Now let's cut the "vision" out of the picture and see how inspiring my coach's speech becomes...
"Today is a new day! We are going to take our practicing to the next level. Starting today we will be practicing in good weather and in bad! We will practice harder and longer than any other team across the state of Texas!"
Almost sounds like punishment doesn't it?!
When the "vision" of the state championship was set in our heads, we took ownership in the work that it would take to reach our goal! We focused on the purpose...not on the pain!
As a leader, we must promote the vision because it is the vision that will push us through the discomfort of change!
Are you focused on promoting change or communicating a vision?
1 comment:
Jason, Great examples of how change can "seem like punishment" while vision gets people excited about making changes! I've always been a big believer in the power of a vision and yet had never thought about the connection between vision and change. Thanks for the insight!
Post a Comment