How Do I Get Started with Transformation? Go Within.

Do you ever get frustrated and wonder why things are not happening at the pace you want them to? Do you feel like Sisyphus endlessly pushing the rock of transformation up a hill of change and resistance? Maybe you have a sense that things never go your way. In these situations, we tend to look for scapegoats and blame others.

Instead of lashing outwards, go within and examine your own effectiveness. This doesn’t mean that we self-flagellate publicly in the reception as colleagues arrive for the day. Instead we need to open ourselves up to the idea that there might be a better way of doing things.

Individual behaviours, that includes our own behaviours, are the most important factor in transformation success. And we have to examine them before we start.

Hang on, you say, I’m the one driving transformation in the organisation. I’m not the blocker, I’m not fearful. I’ve already overcome this. I’m open.

Check yourself for a moment. Transformation is not a one-time moment or decision. It doesn’t end: it requires constant course-correction, decision-making, resilience, openness, bias-awareness and innovation. We are not wired to be capable of that kind of adaptability without conscious effort. We have to train ourselves and develop the self-awareness to recognise where our decisions are motivated by our reactive brains.

Self-awareness can be developed over time but it can be a tough journey. To develop it, start asking friends and your team members for feedback, best of all, introduce anonymous 360 feedback so you get fully rounded views.

Try this: in all your meetings this week, ask a very simple question, “What can I do better?”. The answers should surprise and interest you. If people stay silent then that’s a big red flag. You need to work harder at creating a safe space for people to create change, and that includes changing you.

Don’t forget, Sisyphus was no hero. He was a trickster who failed to recognise his own limitations.