Attitude is everything!
In a few days, I've heard people tell me that they love my attitude, even one person "admired my positive attitude and upbeat optimism." That only puts more spring into my step! When you enjoy what you do it makes it easy to move forward, to press on in the face of opposition and overcome those barriers, innate or forced.
I just finished Tim Brown's Change by Design and how they use Design Thinking to change organization's approaches to create truly successful products, marketing campaigns, business strategies and even the organization themselves. Have an open mind to consider What's Possible...being interested to TRY...being EXCITED to be part of a new idea - these ideas seemed to resonate as you read the stories of how IDEO looked at 'problems' and turned them into 'opportunities.' After reading it, I considered my attitude and what are those elements that are critical to successful organizational change.
1. Understanding: With the Bank, we're focused on bottom lines, on the numbers, the revenue, the customer profitability - but what about the WHY? There are people here for 30+ years - what makes their work so fascinating that they want to continue to do it day after day? Listen to their stories - get their empathy and understand what appeals to them. Find that idea and share it with them.
2. Motivate: Now you know their secrets - get them EXCITED! They already like the concept, so continue to do anything that makes it seems exciting! Take operations - day-to-day job, and now you're going to improve a process by making small changes. The person still does the same job everyday, same results, but now they save themselves 10 minutes a day. When you share this is 50 minutes a week, over 3 hours a month and then almost a full WEEK of work by the end of the first year - think how much other stuff you can do! Now their skills are excited and ready and willing to be applied to the project.
3. Continue to Drive: We've all seen the exciting presentation, everyone all 'amped up' afterwards, but then not even a week later, things are back to how they were, no changes. Your job as lead cheerleader is also to continue to drive to completion. Don't let it languish, highlight those milestones and keep everyone moving! And the biggest thing - don't be afraid to get your hands dirty! Ask what you can do to help! This only motivates others when they see you, busy as you are, wanting to help them!
4. Celebrate: Everything can be celebrated! But it's that coming back and touching those points that people remember. And celebrate in front of others! You should always praise in public (remember the introverts and not over do it!), but more importantly do it often! Not just when the project finishes but throughout the process. Using people's names and celebrating their efforts is what's remembered that you'll have a loyal following for your next innovative effort!
Do you have other ways you keep that positive attitude and drive forward changes in your innovations? Would love to hear the stories!
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