Practical ways to thrive in an ever-advancing world by inspiring and leading change.
When you hear the word CHANGE is a business context where does your head go to first – positive or negative? It depends on the situation of course I know, but where do you think most people’s, minds go first?
I believe that how think about change can stand you out as a leader / business owner.
Introduction
My background is in business development, marketing, and innovation – conceiving and developing and implementing new solutions that add value to those they serve, the customers, the clients, the business, and its stakeholders. Now I act as a facilitator and agent helping leaders to lead change and realise their full potential and that of the people in their care.
Leading CHANGE takes many forms, in nature for example …
A tsunami engulfing everything in its path!
The natural cycle of the seasons we live through each year.
The metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly…
Positive or negative change takes Energy! And Energy take effort!
I often remind clients that as humans we are designed for efficiency! For most of us to get our energy in motion (to get motivated) we’ll need a strong enough reason. You know the sayings: where there is a will there is a way! Needs-must et al. We’ve all been there – when you want it, really want it, you’ll find the way.
Ask yourself. What change do I want to make?
Don’t yet know – that’s ok – first ask what is it that you really want and then if you’ve not already got or achieved that, what needs to change?
Leading Change Fundamentals
I believe that three key things are fundamental for driving significant meaningful change in individuals and their teams:
- How we think – aka Mindset. (or, mind-shift, as I prefer as it does not have to be set, just open).
- The choices we make – aka Strategy.
- The action we take and inspire – aka Leadership and teamwork.
The breadth and depth of what l cover of course goes wider, but these lie at the heart!
In this inaugural issue I’ll touch briefly on each and give you one question for each you can ask yourself right now, so we can begin making a change for the better.
Mind-shift
I am a firm believer that your mindset is the most important component for personal and business growth, it shapes your attitudes, beliefs, and values, all of which have a profound effect on your potential and how you see opportunities. A growth mindset, characterised by a willingness to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and persist in the face of challenge, can enable you to continuously develop your skills and achieve your goals. In business, your growth mindset can drive innovation and creativity, helping you adapt to changing markets and technologies.
That said it’s fair to say that we will all have limiting beliefs and default settings, often so entrenched in our subconscious we don’t realise they are there! An awareness of these is often a great first step to start unlocking your full potential.
Ask yourself. What is holding me or us back?
“If you can dream it, you can do it”
Walt Disney
Strategy
So, with an open mind and glass ceilings smashed you can consider the choices open to you from a different perspective. The vision you have for your business can expand and the direction clarified by tapping into your true purpose of the things that are important to you.
I’m a massive advocate of the mastermind approach when it comes to important long term strategic choices – why not gain the perspective of other experts and the support of someone who can draw the best out of you.
Getting the strategy right and making the right choices is vital in business because quite simply it stops you wasting time and money going in the wrong direction! A well-crafted strategy also provides a framework for decision-making, ensuring that all actions are aligned with your goals and objectives. It helps to identify opportunities, prioritize initiatives, and allocate resources effectively. Making the right choices involves a combination of analysis, intuition, and judgment, as well as the ability to balance short-term gains with long-term objectives. Ultimately, a great strategy and effective decision-making can stand you out from the crowd and drive your continued sustainable growth.
Ask yourself. Where are we going?
“The best way to predict the future is to create it”
Abraham Lincoln
Leadership
A great strategy needs execution and leadership plays a crucial role in effective change by guiding and inspiring individuals and organizations to embrace and implement change.
“Strategy without execution is useless – Execution without strategy is aimless”.
A leader’s vision, communication, and ability to motivate and align people around a common purpose are essential for driving successful change initiatives. Remember leadership is a state of mind not a job title – so it does not matter if you’ve just a small team of employees or a virtual team of freelancers, you need to give direction and inspire action.
As leaders you must create a compelling case for change, demonstrating the benefits and rationale for why the change is necessary. You must also build trust and commitment, ensuring that individuals feel supported and empowered throughout the change process.
Effective leaders are adaptable and flexible, able to adjust plans and strategies as circumstances evolve. They encourage experimentation, learning, and risk-taking, while also providing a clear sense of direction and accountability. By providing guidance, motivation, and support, effective leadership can transform resistance into enthusiasm and ensure that change efforts are sustained over the long term.
Ask yourself. How might I better communicate and inspire those I work with?
“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality”
Warren Bennis
Action
You might choose to build upon your initial answers to these questions into a relevant action plan for you and your team.
James Gentle
Founder at Alt P
Please do reach out if you’ve any questions.
Get in touch for support on leading your change http://www.altp.co.uk/contact-us