Bob Schultek Author of The Gauntlet Failure has always been a better teacher than success. Failure promptly resets our perspective, making us aware of the need for change and the pursuit of knowledge necessary to implement it. Overwhelming our natural risk aversion, it opens our minds to ideas we’ve never considered or have previously rejected. Seeking understanding, we dampen our hubris and humbly tap our relationships in search of a broader array of input and a deeper …
Bob Schultek rschultek@staging.elfin-bead.flywheelsites.com 216-272-4449 Convincing someone to join you in the pursuit of change begins with three agreements: Agree on reality. Describe the current situation, validated by facts and proof Agree on goals. Specify shared goals, acknowledging diversity in how they can be achieved. Agree on vision. Having agreed on the reality and goals, envision success. These three agreements forge a bond of common purpose to pursue change and lay the foundation of mutual accountability …
A key ingredient of enduring team relationships is productive conflict. Sustaining trust within a team requires the occasional fearless, passionate exchange of alternative, sometimes contradictory, ideas. Conflict is often considered to be offensive in organizations. As leaders progress in their careers, they tend to invest increasing amounts of energy avoiding the spirited debates that are necessary for building the most effective teams. To be clear, productive conflict is focused on exploring ideological differences, not destructive …
For leaders, change is a perpetual companion, sometimes arising from circumstances and sometimes by plan. When driven by strategy, change always involves a bargain. If the bargain you’re offering is not generating an adequate reaction, then there are 2 remedies. Your bargain involves an “if-then” proposition. “If you follow this methodology, then you’ll accelerate that production line.” “If you take these steps, then your profitability will be more sustainable.” “If you operate like this, then …
For some, considering a new idea or approach, a change from the current method, represents an opportunity to improve the existing. For others, it represents a threat – what if things go wrong? Conflicting perspectives, driven by people in an organization, with different experiences, who see the world differently. They are the opposing sides of a proposed change, the two driving visions of change. The supporters of change seek to challenge the current line and …
Leaders are hired to break things. To generate, and sustain, improved results, they push past the status quo, making a purposeful choice for productive change. And because our economy is so dynamic, breaking things must become perpetual. Managing the risk associated with continuous adaptation, and using energy to defeat fear, is a key characteristic of leadership in this era. A more robust and sustainable business is derived from these benefits of change: Deciding to change …
Leaders are expected to improve results through change, but their teams often resist. Change requires movement, away from what is known. Change can be tumultuous, causing disorientation that elevates anxiety and vulnerability; fear of the unknown can be paralyzing. Change is also a constant condition in business and in life. There are 3 benefits to change that can improve a team’s engagement. The antidote for the fear of change is to appreciate its benefits and to …
Leaders are hired to improve results. It’s expected that they will change the status quo to accomplish this objective. But leaders can’t change things by themselves; they succeed by inspiring and influencing others to get it done. When driving a change initiative, be aware of two issues that influence how motivation for the change is perceived. Impact and imperfection drive change by clarifying the reasons for it and by accelerating it. People need to understand …
Why do people walk or ride for miles to raise money for a worthy cause? Why do they volunteer to help others rebuild after a disaster? Why do some invest hours in support of a political campaign? For a change initiative to succeed, what is the first step? What inspires change? The common answer to all of the first three questions is that these people believe in that cause, that purpose. They want their efforts …
If you’re an experienced leader, then you’re already aware of this reality. You’ve learned how it feels to be squeezed between grand expectations and constraints you cannot overcome. Sometimes, despite your best intentions and efforts, you don’t succeed. But failure is a better teacher than success, and when you stumble as a leader, there’s one most important lesson to recall. Negative experiences are humbling. Failure resets your attitude, opening your mind to change and to …
