We are in week 3 of a series discussing 5 Characteristics of Organizational Change. We're discussed Increasing Urgency and last week talked through Embracing the Vision. This week we'll celebrate Short Term Wins.
We've all heard the numerous cliche's that speak to taking large goals and breaking them in to smaller, manageable tasks.
"How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!"
"Put one foot in front of the other!"
"How do you boil a frog? Slowly turn up the heat!"
When we're talking about significant change a key strategy for success in managing change is to do it incrementally. Obviously, there are times where this isn't possible - The house is on fire! I need for you to change your location and get out of the house NOW! ; ) - and the speed or rate of change needs to be taken in to account (among other factors), but the point is that the long term change is a sequence of short term goals, and each of these short term goals or wins needs to be celebrated and reinforced.
What gets celebrated, gets replicated!
As a Dad with still young kids (I've got a 9, 5, and 3 yr old), it wasn't too long ago I was in potty training mode with my youngest, Riley. Like me, I'm sure each of you parents have your own version of "The Potty Dance" you would do when your young one successfully made it to the toilet (wonder if we should all demonstrate our versions of the Potty Dance at the next Huddle?). This is a great word picture of celebrating short term wins. It builds self confidence and momentum towards the longer term goal.
What can you celebrate in your leadership role? Now I'm not talking about making up stuff or celebrating things so insignificant that undermines the celebrations, but each of us, myself included, can be more aware of what's going on around us and look to catch people doing something right... and dance like you've never danced before!
This week celebrate a short term win in your world with someone else.
What'd you do?