Word mavens and time keepers
December 30, 2009
So here we are. With much fanfare and hopeful anticipation we begin a new decade. Everyone has made their Top 100 lists for the last 10 years. At last, the still nameless decade is finally over, right?
Well, technically no. The word mavens and official time keepers (whoever they are) will tell you that the decade does not officially begin until 2011. 2010 is the last year of the 00’s. Just like the first year of the millennium was 2001, not 2000.
It’s these same word mavens that maintain that everyone else improperly uses the words “ironic” and “moot.”
Which is entirely my point. If everyone ascribes new meaning to a word, then effectively, that word holds that meaning, regardless of whether it is in the dictionary. We are choosing to end the decade now, whether or not the people who count time agree.
This phenomenon is something to keep in mind when you are selecting language to communicate your change initiative. Just because you decide on words and their meaning doesn’t mean everyone else will choose to use the same words, or give them the same meaning.
Once I was facilitating an executive team on creating a strategy map (a la Balanced Scorecard). Technically, the oblong bubbles on the map are called objectives, but the team started calling them “footballs” due to their shape. “Footballs” does not mean much in the context of strategy, but for some reason it stuck.
When the organization starts using your language improperly or choosing their own words to help them assimilate what it going on, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. After all, it’s better than ignoring it altogether. However, you will have to decide whether the official language is worth fighting for – or whether you can adopt their words as the new official ones.
What language has your team or organization distorted from the original meaning? What is the effect on your initiative?
Got hope?
December 18, 2009
A common thread between change agents seems to be hope.
Considering all the challenges they face, that might seem ironic. But, perhaps hope is the only reason to keep pushing the boulder up the hill, even when it doesn’t seem to be budging.
Hope that the organization has the potential to be better.
The belief that we can bring more meaning to the enterprise.
Knowing that financial success and doing well at the “soft stuff” are not mutually exclusive.
The belief that it’s possible to engage a large group in a collective purpose.
Hope that there is something good on the other side of the hill.
…And that there is truly another side to get to.
…And that it is possible to get there.
When the going gets rough, sometimes all a change agent has is hope, and their willingness to take action toward it.
After all, no one ever moves forward from a place of futility.
What is your hope?
INflux Program early bird rate ends Tuesday!
December 14, 2009
Early bird rate ends Tuesday, December 15. Register now to save $350!
Do you feel like you are pushing a boulder uphill?
As a change agent, this frustration often stems from trying to implement change without having the direct authority over those going through the change. While you may be responsible for the initiative, you have to rely on other individuals to drive the change forward in the eyes of the organization.
Effective change agents use a variety of tools to influence people on both sides of the equation: the leaders who need to own the initiative and the rest of the organization that is going through it.
There are 10 Essential Tools that form the foundation of the INflux Change Agent Network. They form a core of focus, personal influence, and structural influence that when combined equip a change agent to drive the change process forward.
Watch the 10 Essential Tools webinar for an overview.
As a member of the INflux Change Agent Network, you will expand your arsenal of influence methods and gain a community of peers to help you push the boulder uphill. Step fully into the role of change agent so you can bring change to your organization.
The INflux community is much more than a training program. Members bring their own situations to the table and work on them over time with a community of practitioners facing similar challenges. The Network provides a unique combination of training, community, and individual support to help you implement change:
- In-Depth Training. Monthly webinars examine methods of influence to help you be an effective change agent for your organization.
- Personalized Support. Your program host provides individual coaching to work through your immediate challenges.
- Community. In group calls and online discussion boards, participants have many opportunities to learn from each others’ experiences.
Because interaction and trust are key components of the program, the group is limited to 15 individual members.
Download the printable brochure.
Annual membership includes:
- 10 webinar training sessions
- 12 monthly group support calls.
- 3 hours of individual coaching (3-6 sessions).
- Year-round access to online resources.
Program Fee
Annual membership is $2495. Save $350 when you register by December 15, 2009.
Interested but not sure yet that this program is right for you? Please contact me and I will answer any questions you might have.
I look forward to working with you and the rest of the INflux community to help influence change in your organization.
Five Rules for Facilitating Productive Leadership Teams
December 8, 2009
As a change agent, you might occasionally need to facilitate a leadership team to drive your change initiative forward. Like many meetings, leadership team meetings can be boring and ineffective. Leadership team meetings are especially challenging because the time when the entire team can meet in the same room is rare and easily squandered.
Follow these five rules to increase the productivity of your leadership team meetings, and thus make progress on your change initiative. Read more
Free Webinar: 10 Essential Tools for Change Agents
December 3, 2009
Do you feel like you’re pushing a boulder uphill when it comes to changing your organization? Ever wonder if you are using all the tools at your disposal to make change happen?
Join me for a free webinar next week featuring 10 Essential Tools for Change Agents.
As the foundation of the INflux Change Agent Network program, the 10 Essential Tools focus on how to influence change in your organization. This free webinar will highlight the 10 Essential Tools as a preview of what you will learn as a member of the INflux program.
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time
If you are unable to attend the live event due to a scheduling conflict, please register anyway and I will send you a link to the recording.
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