If you are leading a change programme within your business the first thing you need to consider is you!
Business transformation can be very stressful and emotional because people are all different—they have different opinions, emotions, fears, personal issues and priorities but not every business leader takes this into account. Your team will look to their leader for reassurance so ask yourself how you look in their eyes.
You need to get yourself into order before you can start getting others into order.
I remember many years ago I came out of a senior management meeting and didn’t look my normal happy self. One of my team took me to aside and asked if everything was okay. People had seen me coming out of the meeting and thought the business was going to close down because I didn’t look very happy. I was amazed as nothing was wrong but I will never forget that lesson because, whether you like it or not, when you are a leader people watch you and form opinions based on their interpretation of your behaviour.
So, consider these things:
Your mood
If you remain upbeat with everyone at all times you will make people feel comfortable to go the extra mile; if you are moody, people have to second guess how you are going to be from day to day and they will do the minimum to get by without rocking your boat. Remaining in an upbeat mood even when you feel that the world is crashing around your ears will keep the wheels in motion. People take inspiration from cool, calm leaders; act like a headless chicken and so will your team.
People management
You must treat everyone the same even if at times you feel like strangling one of them!
You can have no favourites and no whipping boy/girl. People sense favouritism and if you are guilty of that you will quickly lose support. Praise and reprimands should be delivered fairly and consistently. You need to create a situation where no one can accuse you of allowing emotion to dictate your decision making; the final outcome must be based on fact.
Decision making
When you make decisions always make them with your team’s input and ensure that you are consistent in the decision-making process by recalling previous decisions you’ve made.
Sometimes you may get frustrated by having to involve everyone in the process when in your mind you already know the answer, but by involving your team they will own the decision and make it work. It’s also valuable experience which will allow all of them to become better decision makers in the future. Avoid the temptation to make a decision in isolation; it will never ‘stick’ properly and will always be seen as your decision, therefore it’s also your problem if it goes wrong.
Your behaviour
Be consistent in your behaviour—arrive at meetings on time, look tidy, make sure your work space is kept tidy, make sure your car is clean. People notice these things and form opinions about you based on the evidence you give them so give them good evidence—be caught doing the right thing not the wrong thing!
Don’t forget your promises
If you tell someone you are going to do something for them, keep that promise come hell or high water. And if you find yourself unable to keep it, tell that person as soon as possible to lessen their expectations. If you make a promise to one of your team it will figure largely in their mind until you have done it; failing to deliver and not mentioning it will leave unresolved issues which eat away at the trust you have developed. Don’t be scared to tell people that you are unable to keep the promise—you will be amazed how many people are fine with it as long as you tell them at the earliest possible moment and in person.
No one said change is easy but I’m afraid it’s not an option, it’s a necessity.
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