Can You Change Fast Enough to Not Become Obsolete?

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In this rapidly changing world, one of the keys to being a successful leader is to be adaptable with a strong willingness to learn and change. A few of the powerful changes that are impacting today’s leaders include: technology; workforce demographics – the baby boomers are beginning to leave the workforce and a new workforce that has different values, skills and connection to work are taking the boomers place. Marketing that was directed to the masses versus today’s social marketing that is focused on making a strong “connection” with a few. Instant on-line access to just about anything you desire. The need for speed, urgency, efficiency and effectiveness that by-passes the traditional channels to get things done.

How effective are you as a leader in learning new ways to adapt to the changes? Can you make a list of 10 things you have learned to do differently this year? In our seminars on leadership and change, we teach the four stages leaders go through when making a personal change. Learning how to change, and change quickly is a critical skill for leaders in today’s workforce. We live in a change or become obsolete world. Below are four stages of change that will help you make the necessary transitions that are required to be a leader today.

Stage 1: Unaware
J. Paul Getty once said, “In times of rapid change, experience may be your worst enemy.” In this stage, the leader did not even know that changes were taking place that might impact them or their organization. We call this stage the unconscious incompetent stage. They did not know and they did not know they did not know.

Stage 2: Awareness…then Denial
Back when I first heard of sites like Twitter and LinkedIn. My initial thoughts were…great, but it has nothing to do with my business or me. Worse, one day I thought to myself, “the people on those sites have way too much time on their hands.” If these types of comments do not demonstrate my ignorance and resistance to change, I said, “fine, but my clients are not going to be using these social media sites.” I was officially aware, but just in major denial. If leaders are going to seek out any information in this stage, they tend to seek out only the information that confirms what they already believe…that this change will not work. It has been said that if you can argue long enough for your limitations, eventually they will be yours.

Stage 3: Exploration
In Stage 3, leaders start to open their minds to the possibility of change. Although Stage 3 and exploration is a good thing, the challenge is usually people are jumping on the wagon late in the change cycle. Yesterday at the gym, I saw a man carrying around a CD player. CD players were good in their day, but he should explore streaming music from his phone, or at least an iPod or MP3 player.

Stage 4: Acceptance and Commitment
My father once told me, “In a fight between you and the world, bet on the world.” As we discuss acceptance and commitment, it is important to note that at least one person reading this is probably thinking this thought: not all change is good change. We are the first to agree…not all change is good change. All of us can cite hundreds of examples when change has occurred and it has not been good. But, what is important to note is that not one improvement can be made in your organization or department without a change occurring. It is in this stage that for the first time, people can see a positive vision of the change working for them and benefiting their life.

So how have you changed as a leader over the last 12 months? Have you…
• Clarified and communicated your vision and goals
• Incorporated new technology into your life to become even more productive and efficient
• Raised the bar on accountability and results for your team?
• Became an even more effective communicator
• Balanced your work and personal life…and encouraged your team members to do the same
• Learned something new…and then taught what you learned to others
• Taken on a new project or task…that makes you and the team uncomfortable
• Celebrated your successes of how you and your team have changed

When it comes to change, we are fond of saying, “you can change…or you will be changed.” General Eric Shinseki, former US Army Chief of Staff, stated, “If you don’t like change, you are going to like irrelevance even less.” So it is time to get to work. Can you come up with a list of 10 ways you have significantly changed in the last year? Good luck!

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