There is common agreement on the fact that changes happen all the time. In fact, “change is the only constant” as I may quote Confucious. There is a lot of things that can be said about this topic and change is probably a topic that will appear in my blog several times. This time I chose to highlight one specific element.

It is about how people cope with change and the fact that we all struggle with it. When we take this matter to big organisations we see that people from all over hierarchical ladder are affected by it. Even the people high up in the ranks of the organisation really do not have a clue. The best guess they can make is to do a thorough consultation of the issues people have in the organisation and of the challenges that probably lie ahead. In my opinion, this kind of consultation rounds are plain necessary in order to make justifiable strategic decisions. As a supplementary effect the people that are being asked for advice feel appreciated for their contribution.

Bottom line: calmly look in the face of change

Imagine yourself at one point and far ahead of you a beacon flashing white light. This beacon is your destination and it is absolutely obvious where it is. The way to reach it is like an untapped mountain hill dressed with virgin snow. Thus, it is very unclear. This is not a problem of goal setting but rather a problem of  execution. How do you embarque on your mission?

One possible way is to make a concrete plan of all the steps that you have to undertake in order to reach your goal. You model yourself your way to the beacon of light. You set it up beforehand when you try to imagine all the roadblocks you will encounter. You leave with a plan in your hand towards your destination. For sure, plans made are plans lost: things that actually will happen will differ from the things you have thought of before. You will be able to reach your goal but unless you are able to adapt yourself to a changing situation it will be worth a hard deal.

Another possible way is to leave immediately for the open sea and directly sniff the stuff that is happening out there. Your impressions will be more accurate and you will leave with a head start. Without the planning effort situations won’t be that clear to interpret the right way. So, it’s possible that sometimes you rather are swinging around without direction than moving ahead to your goal. The trip will be a thrill and a great learning experience.

In my opinion neither option has always to be chosen the first. Both have advantages and disadvantages. By taking the first route, the rout of making a model, you can make things very clear. But on the other hand it can inhibit adaptation to new situations. It involves planning and therefore these plans can remain only words.  This approach is very alive in big corporate cultures  where the gathering of meetings is excessively used.

By taking the other route, things are not that clear at all. This approach can be plainly stupid. Going somewhere without knowing how is not always a good approach. It can also be proof of a lack of commitment. On the other hand it can be such a learning experience that I would say: for the sake of it, just try it.

Bottom line: If you try, try hard. If you plan, prepare to adapt

In the dredges of our daily work we are too occupied to make much consideration about engaging personal projects. We’re busy trying to tie the ends of our tasks in our “normal” task program. Looking for opportunities that can bring benefit but don’t fit anywhere yet, is not on the hand.

That’s where some companies try to make wave and give some time to embark on personal projects. The 20% rule at google dictates that employees can take a day every week to think of new possibilities and to realise them.

Other companies calculate some extra money in the budgets they approve for company projects. This extra money they expect to be devoured on some side project an employee secretly is exploring.

In my opinion, these kind of initiatives are necessary to maintain a culture of innovation.

Bottom line: Give time and money and look away so something new that will be looked at can be created