On gratitude and organizational change

As change agents we often lament the things that make our jobs difficult. But, as my former boss Andy Rush used to say, “If this were easy, they wouldn’t need us here.”

So thank you to the unaware leader, who doesn’t see when his words and actions don’t match.

Thank you to the fuddy-dud stick-in-the-mud, who likes things just the way they are.

Thank you to those who think you can communicate something once and people will get the message.

Thank you to the manager who believes employees should just do what they’re told.

Thank you to the leader who thinks these are soft skills.

Thank you to the urgent, which always seems to crowd out the important.

Thank you to fear of the unknown and different.

Thank you to politics, silos, and self-preservation.

Thank you to irrationality and humanity.

For without you, this would be easy.  And we like a good challenge.