2021: Courage to Change?
As the year draws to a stuttering close, I wonder how many Trend Reports will be written. But reading Trend Reports, and adapting and changing to follow them, is an entirely different subject.
2021 will be a year of highs and lows. Most companies will be driving for growth, yet the ONLY way to grow is to change. And most companies - and most employees - fear change. So while change is guaranteed, what that change will be is hard to predict. As leaders, all you can do is prepare to change and grow. Setting your teams up for success is critical. My advice is: Start Now!
Everyone wants progress.
Nobody wants change.
That's why leadership is hard.
The fear of change.
Contrary to what I said above: People do not fear change. They fear the unknown. (Will my job be secure? Can I adapt? Can I put bread on my table?)
By placing two separate but similar systems in place, you can super-charge your company into 2021 and beyond.
FIRSTLY: Build internal Purpose, Belonging and Belief.
Today, every company has the same access to talent, technology, thinking, systems, and processes. In my article 'The Growth Leader,' I studied companies that are rising and others that are falling. In interviews I had with business leaders from Amazon, Apple, Allbirds, Disney, Tesla, and more, the answer boils down to building a Tribe with slight variations of delivering employees:
Sense of Purpose and Conviction
Sense of Belonging
Sense of Belief.
Furthermore, my research shows that executives who build a Tribalistic emotional feeling with their employees, and with a customer-first approach, manage to grow their top line significantly faster than peers.
Example - Amazon
Purpose/Conviction: The earth's most customer-centric company
Belonging: Work Hard. have Fun. Make History
Belief (values of sorts): The 14 Leadership Principles that shape everyday actions.
SECONDLY: The Four Cs OF Change.
While these seem relatively simple, it's the messaging that counts, especially for those not actively involved in the process of change.
Commit. Bring your organization's leadership together and commit to a change in culture. Committing is the first and most crucial step, as it signals the first step towards cultivating a risk-taking culture.
Communicate. Tell your team clearly and regularly that taking steps towards innovation. The keyword is regular, once a month at minimum, and give progress updates.
Calculate. Create guidelines for specific projects. For example, giving your team a budget and a dedicated timeline to execute can help them feel supported.
Celebrate. Celebrate losses as hard as wins. Every lesson should be valued - whether it's a lesson learned or a success.
2021 will see change continual. And as leaders, all you can do is prepare to change and grow. Setting your teams up for success is critical. So my advice is: Start Now!
Have a tremendous and safe holiday season.