Many familiar programs designed to help individuals form better habits surround people with support systems. For instance, according to WeightWatchers, “People who attend meetings lose 3 times more weight as those who go it alone.” Their website says that meetings provide guidance, encouragement and accountability for those who attend.
If support systems work for changing personal habits, why not for organizational change? I once formed a peer group of cross-functional directors that met for lunch on Fridays to improve our leadership skills. We discussed leadership articles and conducted an internal 360 degree feedback questionnaire (although only being peers and self I suppose it was only 180 degrees). Not only did we have eye-opening discoveries about our personal leadership traits, but the group also improved cohesiveness.
Support systems might also take other forms: A website to look up the answers to questions. A phone number to call when someone is stuck. A trusted name they can reach out to when someone has a question or needs some help.
What support systems might you develop?
Read more of the 99 Ways to Influence Change.