(from the Harvard Business Review) Significant changes can be hard to swallow in tradition-rich workplaces, where even charismatic leadership may not be sufficient to bring employees fully on board. These five daily practices may help.
- Tell stories about others who have moved beyond the status quo. Success stories provide tangible, memorable examples that can help people get past uncertainty.
- Create dialogue, inviting others to ask questions and share emotions, experiences and insights. Define the purpose of these meetings, and encourage them to discuss how change is affecting them. Ask the team to summarize common findings, and identify constructive actions to take.
- Ask "what if?" questions in one-on-one and team meetings. Help your team think boldly, and recognize and reward their initial steps.
- Set expectations that everyone (including yourself) should acknowledge and take responsibilities for mistakes. And then treat mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth.
- Champion cross-boundary collaboration and networks to open up thinking and gain new perspectives. Ask questions like, "Who else do we need to involve? Who has perspective on this issue that we don't have?"
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