Good people provide value regardless of the state of the economy"

October 15, 2008 by janet · Leave a Comment 

That is what my friend and former colleague, Dave Antila, said when I asked him what he thought of the state of the markets. Dave is no economist. He is a computer programmer (now consultant) and, I suppose, part time philosopher.

Are you worried about the impact the economy will have on your business or your life? What are you doing about it? Reflective thinking is an important trait for anyone – time to think about where you are and where you want to be and plan for things so they don’t sneak up when you least expect them. But, coaching research has proven that reflection that doesn’t lead to insight and action is actually counter-productive and can increase anxiety and depression. In other words, don’t confuse reflection with rumination. Change your focus.

If you had more time to focus on your business or your career, what would you be doing? New products? New markets? New skills? New ways to connect to people and customers? Maybe now is the time to think about the strategic stuff.

Filed under: Change, Strategic Planning
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Why is change so darn hard …

October 3, 2008 by obm · Leave a Comment 

I just saw this great representation of personal change in Peter Webb’s latest newsletter (www.intentional.com.au).

I think we forget that making a change is so much more complicated than just making a decision to change, committing to it, and doing it. New behaviours involve letting go of old behaviours and the identity that goes with them.

In preparation for going to the US for Christmas this year, I have been trying to lose a bit of weight. I selected made a plan, changed my behaviours around food and drink, stepped up the exercise, and started a log. After week 2, the scale showed almost no change…yet, the behaviours I have changed are significant and I expected to see a reward. Now I have to fight the urge of slipping back to ‘X’ – the ‘up for anything as long as it involves food and wine’ girl. She is familiar, comfortable, and acceptable, both to me and the people around me. I have to remind myself that this change is about much more than weight loss…it has to do with my identify and the things I love to do. If I want my plan to stick, I have to address that stuff, too.

Here is Peter’s article:

Bob Kegan, Professor of Adult Learning and Professional Development at Harvard University and Co-Director for the Change Leadership Group, suggests any intentional shift from our old identity (X) to a new identity (Y) takes 6 steps:

  • X is the old way of being – familiar, comfortable, acceptable.
  • But then we get a sense that there’s “something else out there for me”, even if we don’t quite know what that is yet. This step is represented as X(y).
  • As we develop a clearer sense of what we want (Y) we begin to feel anxious about what we’re leaving behind (X). “What if I can’t do it? What if it’s not real?” This is represented as X/Y.
  • Then we get excited about the change. “I wish I could be more (Y)”. Yet there’s still a fear of loss of the old way of being. This step is represented as Y/X.
  • The next step is a deliberate declaration of the new identity represented as Y(x). We avoid people we used to associate with at X. We become resistant to criticism. “I love it here and I won’t be pulled back!” Yet there’s still baggage from the previous identity (x).
  • Finally, at Y we fully embrace the new sense of self. “This is a new life – a second chance!”

Of course we’re more likely to “stumble” towards change than make these transitions with any kind of seamless grace – two steps forward, one step backwards! And BIG changes can takes months and years.

And even then progressive change is not guaranteed. We can just as easily slip back to the old way of being. Yet Kegan says these big shifts in life are part of our adult development. “Life is pain Princess. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something!”

Filed under: Change
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Turning Ideas into Action

September 19, 2008 by obm · Leave a Comment 

Do you have trouble following through on your great ideas? Yesterday I attended the Flying Solo Live conference and got some new ideas for my business. I especially liked one of the talks on networking (with people, not computers). The speaker gave several keys for successful networking: be the first to arrive at events, stand in a way that invites people into your conversation, have your introduction prepared ahead of time, etc. I thought to myself ‘I’m going to try that.  But, will I or will I just fall back into old habits?

There is a key step between idea and action, or what Prochaska and DiClemente (1982) would call the Preparation stage of change. In preparation, I might be ready to make a change to my behaviour, but I am unclear about my plans or commitment. In other words, I haven’t thought about the steps I need to take.

  • What specifically am I going to do differently?
  • When is my next opportunity to practise?
  • What is the first thing I need to do?

Ok, I hadn’t really thought about all of that. So, here it is:

On Saturday, I am going to a training session that starts at 9:00. I am going to arrive before 8:45. On the way there, I am going to rehearse how I will explain my business. Having that rehearsed will mean that my attention is totally focussed on the people I meet.

Spending more time in preparation is like a stepping stone your pathway between contemplation and action.

Filed under: Change, Personal Development
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