The objective of change is to improve something – a product, service, process, etc. – so that value is created for our customers, our employees, our business, or hopefully, all of these.
Author of The Gauntlet
The positive benefits of changing for the better are evident around us. Our products and services, our food, our environment, our communication tools, our number of options and many other things have improved because someone decided to make them better. Our survival in a competitive world demands that improvements continue, compelling us to make things better.
But making something better can be stressful; here are three reasons why:
- Better involves change, which can generate fear. Overcoming fear requires optimism to consider what is possible and confidence to act.
- Better also implies that the current state is imperfect, which may cause some to object. Challenging the status quo disrupts precedent, altering something that they feel is currently working well.
- Making implies that someone needs to act to make something better, and it might be you. In fact, if you don’t choose to pursue improvement, then you’re part of the status quo, which can be problem.
Most people seek to make a difference, to do work that matters, to make things better. This takes courage and hard work, but the benefits make the effort meaningful. Change is going to happen – will you drive it or react to it?
What needs improvement in your business?
How will you make things better?
