Grit – the exceptional stamina that individuals demonstrate to achieve high performance – is the topic of a recent article* in Harvard Business Review. People strong in grit are always striving to improve, make the sacrifices necessary to achieve, and remain in love with what they do. Research shows that grit predicts high performance in a variety of domains. Given the … [Read more...] about Building Organizational Grit
change management
A Constant State of Urgency
The leaders I talk with – whether they are in corporations, nonprofits, or government – tell me that most of their days are frenzied. They feel like they are in a “constant state of urgency” – going from one fire to another. This is the issue that Steven Covey was addressing in his book First Things First as he suggested that leaders need to spend less time on what is … [Read more...] about A Constant State of Urgency
What Change Should You Lead?
If you could change one thing in your organization that would make a REAL difference in the IMPACT you make, what would it be? What do you have to lose by giving it a try??? Start by sharing your thoughts with a few people you trust to test your idea. If others agree then get more people on board. And then – when the timing is right –broaden your movement to more … [Read more...] about What Change Should You Lead?
Engaging Resistance to Change
You are trying to change things for the better, but you keep facing lots of resistance. “If people would just go along then things would be a lot better!” Well – maybe not. Maybe their resistance will make your effort even more successful. In their excellent article in Harvard Business Review, Decoding Resistance to Change, (April 2009) Jeffrey & Laurie Ford … [Read more...] about Engaging Resistance to Change
Lead Change in Big SMART Chunks
You know that changes must be made, but the amount of effort that will be required and the size of the change seems almost overwhelming. This is often the case with important changes. But remember the old adage – “the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.” I suggest identifying a “chunk” of change that you are willing to go after during an upcoming three – … [Read more...] about Lead Change in Big SMART Chunks