Are You Driving Change?

We all know that change is a constant, but get (appropriately) skeptical when people drone on about how "Change is good".  Why are people resistant to change?  Because some change is NOT good.  People become supportive only when we believe the change will be beneficial.

So what do world-class leaders do to optimize the process of change?

Here's an apt analogy a former Disney colleague of mine shared:

If you were riding in a car someone else was driving with the intent of going to a specific location, and they started driving along an unfamiliar route, what would you do?

1. Confirm the destination and make sure that you both intend to arrive at the same place.  If not, then you must determine whether or not you want to go to this new location.  If the final destination is the same, then you might...
2. Ask if the current route is better than the route you are used to.  If it is better, then support the new route (change) and learn something helpful.  If it isn't better, then you would suggest your more effective route (solution) to get to your mutual goal.  If you have nothing better to offer, then you would just let them drive and support the unfamiliar approach.
3. If you don't want the driver's destination or route, you can either disembark or take over control of driving the car.

Ultimately, the choice is yours.  Actively support the process or actively make it better, but get involved one way or the other (being passive is simply abdicating any responsibility).  It does not help to sit in the passenger seat and complain about the route or destination.  You don't improve the outcome - and you actually make the process worse.  The best option is to determine whether or not the "new way" is better or not, influence the driver if your way is legitimately better, or do the driving yourself.

Have you determined your destination?  Are you doing whatever it takes to appropriately influence your situation?  Or are you letting someone else do the "driving" and "taking you on a ride" you don't want to be on?  Are you willing to take the bold action of taking over or disembarking?

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Screwed By My GPS - Thank Goodness!

On a recent road trip covering a couple thousand miles, I had several interesting experiences...all starting with what should have been a direct route through the mountains of North Carolina/Tennessee.

Should have been.

Relying on the new technology, I plugged in the address of my next destination and chose to go where my phone's GPS guided me.  It wasn't until I was an hour into the drive when I concluded I wasn't "on the right path".  I pulled out my trusty paper map and discovered, sure enough, I was deeply into what my GPS thought was the "better" scenic route - adding about an hour onto my drive.

After some choice bad words, I realized that backtracking would add even more of a delay, so I opted to forge ahead on the same winding mountain roads I was on.  Then a very interesting thing happened...

I started to experience...things.

Not in a weird, mindless, hypnotic, imaginary way (sorry, no moonshine on this trip).  But in a "let go of any preconceived notions and simply experience what is happening" kind of way.

Yes, it was a much longer route, but it was, indeed, a much better route as well.  I was amazed at all the "new" I started to enjoy. 

New sights.  New sounds.  New inspiration.  New insights.  New attitude.  New hope.  New enjoyment.

And it all started out with me cursing out my phone.

Kinda like Life.  Sometimes routes that, at first glance, start out looking like a mistake, can actually be a better path.  Just because it isn't what we anticipated doesn't mean it's less valuable.  Being open to Life's surprises can offer a gift we would never enjoy otherwise.

Perhaps instead of grumbling, we should experience unexpected changes in our "plan" more open to what IS there than what ISN'T (our original plan).  We may end up with "better" after all.

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Being Adaptable Is A Weakness?

We all deal with life's ever-changing circumstances.  Often, we hear that "going with the flow" or "getting along" can help grease the "gears of the community machine".  While it is true that being adaptable can be a valuable strength, it is also true that a strength overdone actually becomes a weakness.

Certain things, such as principles, are constants (and rightly so) and, therefore, should never be compromised.  To do so, ultimately, invites a lack of integrity - which leads to ineffectiveness and sub-optimization.

Adapting to certain things in life is all well and good, but it should be a conscious decision based on the bigger picture.  Overdone, too much compromise leads to settling for the status quo.  Settling too long leads to a rut.  Ruts never lead to growth and good health.

The key consideration is whether or not adapting for short-term gain allows for long-term growth.  If two people cannot collaborate for some reason, then compromise CAN be a fair option, but ONLY if there is an agreement to revisit the situation with a commitment to continued mutual growth. If all interests are not served by the decision in the long-run, then the "loser" is settling for mediocrity.

And being sub-par is NEVER healthy.  Finding that "sweet spot" of being adaptable enough to adjust effectively to the every day changes is critical to success.  Simply latching on to adaptability as a way to get through life with the least confrontation merely guarantees a life based on the lowest common denominator.

Something NO one will ever get passionate about.  Ever.

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!