May 23, 2017

The Nine Dynamics Of Change

“You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right. If you're not passionate enough from the start, you'll never stick it out.” ― Steve Jobs
We’ve all had something we wanted to change, and at one point or another, we’ve run into problems getting that change to actually take place. In the last post we talked about the Four Levels of Change, and how we progress from one level to the next. In this post we are going to discuss what Ford Taylor from Transformational Leadership calls the 9 Dynamics of Change. These are the various different problems we could come up against, and the strategies with how to deal with them. This is a sneak peak of all the things we’ll be discussing in the upcoming weeks! Dynamic One: You will feel awkward, ill at ease, or self-conscious. STRATEGY – We always feel a little more confident when we know what to expect, so expect the unexpected! Dynamic Two: You will feel alone, or like you are the only person going through what you’re going through. STRATEGY – Structure activities that create involvement, such as hosting a meeting with your team, having dinner with your family, having a one-on-one meeting, or coaching a team. In a future post we’ll discuss why this is called the WADEL Model. Dynamic Three: You will be faced with things or behaviors that you will need to give up. STRATEGY – Identify what it is that you need to give up. It may seem overwhelming, but start with the biggest problem first. Later we’ll discuss a useful self evaluation tool to assist in this process. Dynamic Four: You will be concerned that you do not have enough resources. STRATEGY – Instead of thinking “outside the box,” (we’ll discuss later why this doesn’t work) – think “beyond the box.” We’ll discuss a method called “bubble jumping” which takes it another whole step forward. Dynamic Five: You can only handle so much change at once. STRATEGY – We’ll discuss a tool you can use called VPMOSA. This will help you set priorities; and go for the long run. It will help bring balance and help manage the different spheres in your life, and how to keep that balance within your family, your job, your ministry - all the things you’re involved with and how it all connects together. Dynamic Six: People are at different levels of readiness for change. STRATEGY – Start with the toughest area to change. That’s because many of the easier areas to change simply end up being symptoms of the toughest one. Dynamic Seven: You revert back to old behaviors when the pressure is off. STRATEGY – Find someone who can bump you back on track to accomplish your goals if it gets uncomfortable, or you get off that track. We’ll call this person a “Bumper Buddy.” Dynamic Eight: Change can be fun! STRATEGY – Embrace change and do so with those who also embrace change. Most people think of fun as a dynamic of change, but it can be fun when we involve others. Dynamic Nine: Change is a choice. Not to change is also a choice. STRATEGY – Use your Bumper Buddies to encourage you when you feel guilty after you fail or falter. Which of these dynamics were you most familiar with. Which ones seem to be where you get stuck the most? Have you found yourself naturally using any of the strategies mentioned above? If not, we’ll unpack them in greater detail a bit later, so that you can be better equipped to face the change required to become a Transformation Leader!
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” – Proverbs 19:20 (ESV)

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