The One Thing Every Leader Needs to Consider when Leading Change

It’s some years since I actually led a change programme, however I have worked with many leaders in a coach/mentor capacity since then. Often the challenges facing them are around coordinating stakeholders, communicating appropriately, engaging others and grappling with what seems complex.

All of these are critical to success and I still find it staggering to read that a large percentage of change projects still fail, in that they either over run, over spend or fail to deliver the benefits promised.

What is always interesting is that any conversation I have had with leaders starts from the perspective of them looking out at the change initiative – the task and the people involved.

I don’t think I have ever heard any one start with the question of themselves…

• How to I need to be to lead and manage this?
• How do I need to adapt?
• What is my stretch going to be in this? 

Granted, those leading change initiatives are usually chosen because they have the skills and expertise, and I still think this is an important question.

As the leader part of your role is to model exactly what you expect from others and as change programmes can often be highly charged this role model challenge is heightened.

The person with the greatest flexibility will have the greatest influence.

So… my one thing for leaders to consider is how will you adapt.

Adaptability is crucial to survival. You just have to look at Charles Darwin’s research to see it is those animals that adapt to the changes around them that survive.

Learning how to lead is a life long journey not a one off course or leadership programme.

In this spirit of continuous learning, next time you are leading or even supporting a change programme ask yourself how you need to adapt?

What fine-tuning is required in your own behaviour?

“In the long history of humankind (and animal king too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.”

Charles Darwin