OK, we learnt in my last post about directing the rider, now we consider how to motivate the elephant.
The elephant represents the emotional and instinctual side of the situation or the people who you hope to be involved with a change process.
The elephant is huge and the rider is very small by comparison. Sometimes it seems that the elephant, the emotions, are the biggest hindrance to change, and the logical rider doesn't seem to have any chance.
But motivating the elephant can be a huge opportunity for achieving change. Here's a couple of suggestions:
Find the feeling. Find something that grabs the elephant. If you can win people's hearts you will also win their minds.
Shrink the Change. Find simple and quick opportunities to achieve success and make use of the momentum you achieve from these wins.
Next post we'll find out how to shape the path.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Direct the Rider
In my last post I talked about the metaphor of the Rider, the Elephant and the Path as a way of looking at implementing change.
The first step in the process is directing the rider who represents our logical, conscious side. Unless we can learn how to direct the rider, he will have little capacity to control the elephant (the emotional side) which blunders its way along, often completely out of control.
The rider wants to analyse all that is happening and will often become paralysed by all the negatives that are preventing change from occurring. One of the ways of directing the rider is to find the bright spots and work at developing them. Instead of focussing on the problems, look for the things that are working well, or the people that are achieving most effectively and spend your time building on these bright spots.
Another way of directing the rider is to identify the small steps that need to be taken, scripting them as individual actions that can be identified and are achievable.
I'll talk about the elephant in my next post.
The first step in the process is directing the rider who represents our logical, conscious side. Unless we can learn how to direct the rider, he will have little capacity to control the elephant (the emotional side) which blunders its way along, often completely out of control.
The rider wants to analyse all that is happening and will often become paralysed by all the negatives that are preventing change from occurring. One of the ways of directing the rider is to find the bright spots and work at developing them. Instead of focussing on the problems, look for the things that are working well, or the people that are achieving most effectively and spend your time building on these bright spots.
Another way of directing the rider is to identify the small steps that need to be taken, scripting them as individual actions that can be identified and are achievable.
I'll talk about the elephant in my next post.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
How do you move an elephant?
Creating change is about motivating elephants.
Every so often you come across a metaphor that shines the light on the things you are doing and offers a new way of looking at things. This week I have been introduced to a metaphor that is really useful in my thinking about the process of change. One of the certainties of life (other than death and taxes) is change and we've probably all had experiences of change that has been poorly managed or executed.
Chip and Dan Heath, in their book, "Switch: How to Change Things when Change is Hard" expand on a metaphor from social psychologist Jonathon Haidt about the elephant, the rider and the path.
The idea is that change is influenced by three things: the mind, the heart and the environment. The heart is the elephant, a large beast that is difficult to control and is easily spooked by circumstances. The elephant represents our emotions, our values, the feelings that influence our decisions.
The rider on the back of the elephant is the mind; the logical, conscious part of the person, and compared to the elephant, the rider is very small and finds it hard to keep the elephant under control. The rider also tires very easily.
In front of the elephant and its rider is the path. This is the way forward and shows the direction of change. It represents the environment that affects that change and influences both the rider and the elephant.
As we address change we need to learn how to direct the rider, motivate the elephant and shape the path.
I'll expand more on this in my next post.
Every so often you come across a metaphor that shines the light on the things you are doing and offers a new way of looking at things. This week I have been introduced to a metaphor that is really useful in my thinking about the process of change. One of the certainties of life (other than death and taxes) is change and we've probably all had experiences of change that has been poorly managed or executed.
Chip and Dan Heath, in their book, "Switch: How to Change Things when Change is Hard" expand on a metaphor from social psychologist Jonathon Haidt about the elephant, the rider and the path.
The idea is that change is influenced by three things: the mind, the heart and the environment. The heart is the elephant, a large beast that is difficult to control and is easily spooked by circumstances. The elephant represents our emotions, our values, the feelings that influence our decisions.
The rider on the back of the elephant is the mind; the logical, conscious part of the person, and compared to the elephant, the rider is very small and finds it hard to keep the elephant under control. The rider also tires very easily.
In front of the elephant and its rider is the path. This is the way forward and shows the direction of change. It represents the environment that affects that change and influences both the rider and the elephant.
As we address change we need to learn how to direct the rider, motivate the elephant and shape the path.
I'll expand more on this in my next post.
Monday, August 13, 2012
The Countdown Begins
The Olympics are over for another four years, but the countdown has now started - no not for Rio - but for the announcement of Baptistcare's Inaugural Recognition Awards.
A total of 50 nominations have been received for the awards that are based on Baptistcare's values of dignity and compassion, integrity and respect, courage and justice, stewardship and accountability. The judges have done their unenviable work with these nominations and the finalists have been advised.
The big announcement will be made at a Gala Dinner that will be held at the Perth Town Hall on Friday, September 7.
The overwhelming message that comes from the judges is that Baptistcare has some amazing stories to tell of people who are incredibly committed to their work and to putting the values of the organisation into practice. It will be a joy to share some of these stories at the Gala Dinner and in the time following that event.
Thank you to all those who nominated colleagues, and to those who have accepted nomination. This has been a valuable exercise in helping us to recognise what our values look like in the day to day life of Baptistcare's many services and programmes.
Now, hold your breath. The countdown has begun. Who will be the first winners in Baptistcare's Recognition Awards?
A total of 50 nominations have been received for the awards that are based on Baptistcare's values of dignity and compassion, integrity and respect, courage and justice, stewardship and accountability. The judges have done their unenviable work with these nominations and the finalists have been advised.
The big announcement will be made at a Gala Dinner that will be held at the Perth Town Hall on Friday, September 7.
The overwhelming message that comes from the judges is that Baptistcare has some amazing stories to tell of people who are incredibly committed to their work and to putting the values of the organisation into practice. It will be a joy to share some of these stories at the Gala Dinner and in the time following that event.
Thank you to all those who nominated colleagues, and to those who have accepted nomination. This has been a valuable exercise in helping us to recognise what our values look like in the day to day life of Baptistcare's many services and programmes.
Now, hold your breath. The countdown has begun. Who will be the first winners in Baptistcare's Recognition Awards?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)