Language Matters: 5 Tips To Make Things Happen

Decisions get made. It's time to start.

The Goal is clear. There is a picture of what the end should look like.

Now we just have to "do it."

Some don't make it...

.. .individually or organizationally.

Given that there are entire industries built around "doing it"--continuous improvement, change management, life coaching-- there must be some trick to that whole in between area. If you are involved in any kind of a change, here are 5 tips that you can take to the bank. (Ignoring them may put you in the collection agency).

1. Language matters.

"We're going to make a transition from___to____" impacts the brain a lot better than "We're going to change."

(Honestly, I don't want to change--do you? But I don't have any problem making a transition).

2. Friendships matter.

Be willing to talk and be willing to listen. When things change at home or in your family, you have coffee and conversation with friends. Why? It's cathartic. And you don't feel alone. Changes at work are no different.

3. Grace matters.

Transitions and change imply, by definition, that people are trying something for the first time. When your little child tried out her first steps and fell after the third one, you didn't offer a performance appraisal. You hugged her, made a big fuss, took a video, and called the grandparents.

Offer the same to adults who are trying something for the first time. Truth be told, they are feeling like kids at that moment.

Note: I'd avoid the hug and the video; it's your call on whether to phone the grandparents.

4. Accountability matters.

This isn't opposed to numbers 2 or 3. Accountability is an act of deep friendship. Friends don't let friends drive drunk. They also don't let friends do things--or avoid doing things--that are hurting their careers.

5. Small wins matter.

Make an example of anyone or any result that approximates the longer term ideal. Do it often.

If you wait until everyone gets it perfect, there won't be a celebration. There may not be a reason for it.

That's why continuous improvement is called continuous improvement.

What Are Your Best Tips?

I know the readers here are involved in decisions and actions of all types. Weigh in with your favorite transitional tips and suggestions and we'll add them to the mix! (With attribution, of course. See #5).

Comments

[Gretchen Anthony]

During tough periods of change and transition avoid saying, "I understand," especially as a leader. It can unintentionally be insulting. Instead open the door to more listening by saying, "You tell us what you're experiencing", "Tell me more to help me understand," "What are your ideas?"

[Dan Erwin]

Always call the grandparents. Who else will give you a free pass to brag on their grandkid forever and ever?

Signed: a grandparent

[Scott]

Observe...and learn.

Many football coaches are constantly employing the practice of observing and learning. During a game, a coach has so much time to call plays and then must depend on his/her players to execute. Some plays work well and others don't. Film on Mondays provide a perspective to a player of what they did right and what they may have done better; i.e.---we call this the "review process" in our overly sophisticated corporate culture. Want to gear up for the compeition? Make sure their film is readily available and studied intently.

Bottom line: There is only so much a coach can do to prepare for a game. The game will be won or lost by the excecution of players. If both the coach and players have done their jobs, chalk up a "W". If the coach and players failed to connect on a game plan...the media will take over the postgame.

We have become a society that preaches everyone is a winner (little league, church, etc.). I beg to differ...observe and learn.

www.droppingalmonds.com

[Steve Roesler]

Gretchen,

Didn't realize exactly how much "I understand" bugs me until you mentioned it.

Solid suggestions.

[Steve Roesler]

Dan,

Spoken with an air of experience!

[Frode H]

Attitude matter. People’s attitude matters a lot. I have been almost preaching the value of accepting a challenge with the help of my famous(famous at work :)) basketball. The basketball symbolizes a challenge, and it’s all about wanting to get the ball when the occasions rise. And when a challenge is presented the attitude is more like: Bring it on! We can handle anything. Mother Theresa once said: “The first step to becoming is to will it”

[Steve Roesler]

Frode:

That's a neat visual effect. I didn't know basketball was big in Norway; do you play it while downhill skiing?-) ?

I always figured that if Mother Theresa said something, it was a good idea to listen to it.

Here's to a good week at managing. . .

[Frode H]

Hi Steve.
Basketball is upcoming here, but it still have a long way to go to beat almost any other sport by popularity in Norway :D. It is on the other hand a very useful visual effect. And I have thrown my basketball in the head of people not aware of the point of grabbing the ball a few times. A good tip to any leaders, dare to be different and use visual effects.

Downhill skiing is on the other hand a great sport here in Norway; unfortunately I have not done this in many years now. My sport is soccer, but I tried a comeback as a goalie at the company team a month ago, resulting in a bruised arm and a heap load of pain for a week. And that just after 2 minutes of fun… On the positive side, growing old, gaining experience. Not to pretend to be a goalie without training is a new experience.

Keep on having fun.

Recent blog post: Challenge Yourself for Cocktails and Tapas.

[Mile High Pixie]

I love the idea of "attitudes matter"; just as you have to be the change you wish to see in the world, you have to be the attitude you wish you see in the organization. I also think "the plan matters;" if you can show ( or show and solicit) steps to making the changes happen, it helps a great deal. I once told someone that I'm not much of a procrastinator because I tend to see the steps to solving a problem rather than just a big lump of a problem.

[Mile High Pixie]

And Frode: don't you cross-country ski in Norway? That's the only winter sport I do here in Colorado, and I LOVE it!

[Indian Educational Opportunities]

Steve.. this is really an insightful article.

[Steve Roesler]

Scott:

A rule that I adhere to is "Prognosis Without Diagnosis is Malpractice."

Coaches are constantly using their observational skills to diagnose what's really going on and what has to change/stay the same.

Good example.

[Steve Roesler]

Well, Frode, I guess we all reach the point in life where those cocktails and tapas are safer than soccer and downhill skiing!

[Steve Roesler]

MHP:

Heck, companies (supposedly) hire people who can bring solutions--not just identify lumps of problems.

Your company made a good hire.

[Joan Schramm]

I find it's helpful to give people the end result (i.e., increase sales by 10%; cut costs by 10%) and then ask them the best way to get there. Doing so often results in some stunning new way of doing business that would never have crossed my mind. A huge bonus to this is that people are usually willing to embrace the change (or transition) if they have input on the route to take to get there.

Another great article, Steve -- thanks!

[Steve Roesler]

For sure, Joan. Even if no one person knows the answer, collectively people can usually come up with something darned good if they've been around the business for any length of time.

Glad you took off those radio headphones for a minute to say hi :-)