Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into practice with courageous patience. – Hyman Rickover
Change – everyone extols its virtues.
Many claim to be agents of it.
Nobody really wants it…
…unless it’s their idea, or a change toward something they’re familiar with that has worked for them in the past.
The way I see it, when implementing change, you can decide on one of two ways to get there. Both ways have pros and cons.
YOU CAN BUILD YOUR PLAN AND FORCE IT THROUGH. “THIS IS THE PLAN, DO AS I SAY.”
PROS: This method usually yields quick results in the short-term, it even looks really great on paper.
CONS: This method is more likely to create resentment and alienate you from your team.
OR YOU CAN BUILD A FRAMEWORK THAT ALLOWS YOU TO WORK IN A COLLABORATIVE WAY WITH YOUR TEAM.
PROS:This method usually allows others to get on board and is sustainable over the long-term.
CONS: This method takes longer and is not satisfying to those seeking immediate results.
Both ways are hard work; the first way, in the end and the second way, right up front.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
When in New Places said:
I love me some sweet collaboration! I think the end result is always better with many different perspectives. So, as one can imagine, working in a hierarchical system like Korea – I’m starting to really miss the collaborative spirit of past jobs. It sucks being told what to do all the time, resentment indeed, hidden resentment, but resentment all the same! 🙂
Great points, Diana!
~ Andrea ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Talk about culture shock! I’m not sure I could handle that! But there are pros to being there, right Andrea? 🙂
Diana xo
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When in New Places said:
Sure as heck are! We still have a few more years of love in us for this place!
But yeah, I’ve definitely discovered I’m not a fan of authority ~ 😀
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theeditorsjournal said:
Oooogh! I see the benefit in both but I’m not a very patient person where work is concerned so 2 could drive me insane.
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dianasschwenk said:
haha yes it can be a tad crazy-making especially at the beginning!
Diana xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
I have always used the second method. Now that I am on my own and do not need to collaborate I am finding that difficult. So I think I need to swap across to your first method. Now your suggestions to make that work are…?
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dianasschwenk said:
Funny you should ask Elizabeth! I love working within teams and with my new little company and all, I have been doing a lot of brainstorming with myself. For someone who is used to bouncing ideas around with others, it’s been an interesting experience!
My suggestion and what I’ve been doing? Figure out what I want, figure out steps and resources needed to do it, figure out what parts need feedback by whom and do it. Trust myself, my instincts. And just do it.
I console myself with “…making a decision is always better than doing nothing…”
Diana xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
Those are great tips. I have copied them to have handy.
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dianasschwenk said:
Sweet! Go Elizabeth go! xo
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Eric Alagan said:
Both methods have their merits and uses – and need to employed depending on the circumstances. Quite often, it’s a blend of both, I reckon.
Autocratic is great to grab attention and initiative – but collaborative is required to pull it off and sustain.
Great post,
Eric
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks for weighing in Eric!
Diana xo
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joannerambling said:
I am not a fan of change just saying
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dianasschwenk said:
most folks aren’t – unless it’s their idea to change! 😀
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
Yes, Diana, rip the band-aid off and get it over with immediately, or pull it off a cm at a time and spread the pain out all day?
I think sometimes a little of both is in order. Look, this is how the change is going to effect us if we do these few things right now … and this is how it can help us even more when we talk about how we can change even more and make things better in the future.
Thanks for your thinking-person’s post, braided-woman!
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dianasschwenk said:
Mark, I agree, sometimes that’s the best way to go. When I wrote this post, I was thinking about situations where others outside of an organization are also affected; such as when you want to build housing for the homeless in a certain community.
Yet I see that I used the word team, which would indicate a situation that is internal. 🙂
peace out
Diana – the braided woman xo
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Eric Tonningsen said:
As with many models, approaches and strategies, I have found that a blend, unique to both the task and the styles of those involved often works well. That’s measurably because I’m not a fan of absolutes when a recipe’s ingredients can vary.
I like the premise of this post and how you’ve framed/shared it. 🙂 And patience is certainly one of those ingredients.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks for weighing in Eric! Happy Sunday to you!
Diana xo
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bulldog said:
A third way getting the others to make the suggestion of change to what you would like it to be…. this takes time and leadership steering them slowly to the way you think that in the end they think it their idea and come on board far faster… just my thought and something I’ve practiced a few times in my business life….
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dianasschwenk said:
I’ve done that too haha! When I think a goal is important enough, I don’t really care who gets the credit as long as it comes to pass! 😀
Diana xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
OTOH: sometimes it’s easier getting forgiveness than permission! 🙂
(Nice New Look!)
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dianasschwenk said:
Sometimes it is! Thanks Smitty!
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Patience, I’ve always considered not to be a virtue of mine, but I believe I’m getting better. Other qualities – besides wisdom – come with age, apparently. 😉
Lovin’ the braids!
Jennifer xo
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jennifer! Just to clarify, I’m not patient but I’m learning to behave in that way! 😉
Diana xo
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Ann Koplow said:
I totally agree, Diana. I tend to work the second way. I love collaborating with you, always!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Ann! I tend to work the second way as well but good golly, sometimes I lose patience and just want to push something through, know what I mean?
When I first read the quote I was struck by the idea of courageous patience. I have never thought of patience being courageous before – it was a real a-ha moment for me. 😀
Diana xo
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Ann Koplow said:
I would agree. I work on patience, every day.
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dianasschwenk said:
What a courageous act!
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Ann Koplow said:
Oooh! Now I feel braver. Thanks, Diana!
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Ian Munro @ leadingessentially.com said:
Love this topic Diana. My favorite book on the topic is by Rick Maurer “Beyond the Wall of Resistance. I also have a great picture for you that I can’t figure out how to insert so I will have to send it to you!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks for your book reference Ian and can’t wait to get the picture!
Diana xo
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