Browse through any management book these days and youll be amazed at the number of concepts that have appeared in the last decade: SWOT analysis, business process re-engineering, CRM, competitive advantage, analysis tools, fix-it tools and measuring tools.
Words: Weak or Powerful?
Clear communications will make the grade, ambiguous pronouncements will not. One leadership coach admitted that despite majoring in communications in university, her words alienated her from others and were not delivering the intended message.
Team Work? No Thanks!
Years ago when we still worked at corporate, wed shrink in dismay at being assigned to a team to make certain changes in a policy or in a process. Our first reaction was always, another traffic congestion in the making. To us, team work was synonymous to excessive yak-yak-yak, delays, unnecessary activity and frequent meetings with no meeting of the minds.
They Decided on You. Now What?
Upper management decided that youve got what it takes to implement change. They combed your credentials with a fine-tooth comb, watched you in action during company activities, and appreciate your leadership qualities and people skills.
The Cold Shoulder
Back in the good old days, companies that were persistently conservative and resisted change were handsomely rewarded. Stalwarts like General Motors, Procter and Gamble and Sears Roebuck were empires unto themselves; they tapped their resources to ward off change or to avoid it altogether. This strategy used to work. Not anymore.
The More Things Change…
As they gathered around the salad bar, one employee said, that must be the umpteenth announcement this month.
Software to Go
When a change agent is overseeing multiple projects at the same time, hell need software to free him from the tasks of inputting data by hand. In a big business where there are many of players and conflicting issues to manage, software is a necessary evil.