“New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.”
Obviously it’s not a new problem, since the above was written by John Locke in 1690, and I’m sure you’ve come up against it more than once.
People go to extreme ends to
- preserve the status quo;
- avoid change;
- indulge a not-invented-here mentality; and
- ‘buy IBM’ (it’s better to be safe than sorry).
The attitude wasn’t original in 1690 and the MAP that fosters it will still be around in 2090.
But despite yards of books and thousands of article and blogs (my own included) on creating change in a company, too many people still don’t get it.
They believe, or want to believe, that if all the right words are said it will happen.
They keep looking for a magic bullet instead of looking in the mirror.
But the only bullet around is the one they need to bite, the one that says that
- change must start with themselves and that it starts with how they think;
- nobody acts differently without thinking differently; and
- talk is cheap, actions speak louder than words, and the actions must be sustainable.
What’s really in your mind will eventually come out, either in word or action, people will notice and they won’t forget.
Plan now to start down the road of success remembering that it’s a journey, not a destination.
And hold close the words of Mohandas Gandhi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Change has come to TME, too, and this is my last post. It’s been fun and I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have.
I also hope you will join me at MAPping Company Success for discussions about culture, motivation, management and an added focus in 2011 on entrepreneurial attitude and entrepreneurs.
Remember as you go forward in your career and your life that it really is all in your mind and, as a manager, to change what they do, change how you think!
Best wishes, health and happiness in 2011.
Miki
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