Change ahead

Bill Harrison - Leaders Create Change

Posted by Gillespie Electric, Inc. on Wednesday, June 9, 2021

“People don’t like change” – Common Knowledge

Just consider the following:

“The Edsel is here to stay.” Henry Ford to dealers in 1957. Ask some senior folks what an Edsel was.

“There is no reason why anyone would want a computer in their home.” Kenneth Olsen, Digital Equipment Founder 1977

” Everything that can be invented has already been invented.” Charles Duel, Patent Office Di-rector 1899

“What use could this company make of an electrical toy?” Western Union Executive 1878. He was speaking of the telephone.

Leaders understand that change is a constant part of life – from right now until forever. So why are folks in business so reluctant to change? I hear too often “that is the way we have always done it”.

Sound familiar?

Yet they change where they live, clothing styles, hair styles and even significant others. But at work – that is a different story.

THIS IS WHY

Most folks resist change in the workplace because of a lack of trust. Maybe you can relate to the following scenario. The “boss” or management announces a new procedure, rule, guideline etc., etc., etc. “This is the way we are going to do things around here now.”

Initially folks say “OK” and buy in. Now, a few weeks, or a few months later it appears we are not doing what was announced. It has fallen by the wayside somehow. Is this ringing any bells? It should, I have observed this all too often over my decades of coaching. After this happens a few times during a person’s career they just smile when the announcement is made and know it will fade away in the near future. That is the major reason folks don’t buy into change in the workplace.

Another reason they resist is the “boss” talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk. A client was always on the folks in the shop for not wearing their safety glasses. He asked me how to “fix” it. I asked him if he wore his safety glasses in the shop. He let me know his name was on the building and he didn’t have to do it. We chatted. He hung his special pair of safety glasses in a prominent place at the entrance to the shop. He wore them every time he entered the shop. Then what happened? The problem went away.

Leaders develop trust by not doing the above. Works every time.

The Phoenix Leadership Institute, LLC

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Tel: 703-909-8230

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Categories: Construction News

Tagged: Teamwork, Workforce Development