The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

138 / LEADING THROUGH CHALLENGES

Enabling change

Balancing priorities

A key leadership skill is keeping a

good balance between short-term

improvement and long-term innovation.

If you are continuously improving at

the margins while neglecting strategic

innovation, it will lead to organizational

myopia and the risk of missing out on

the next big trend. Conversely, constant

innovation at the core can become

counterproductive because people will

eventually feel worn out and unwilling to

take on yet another new initiative.

Maintaining stability

The leader seeks to progress with both

short- and long-term change while

maintaining equilibrium. This can be a

challenge: while most people will quickly

accommodate small steps that visibly

improve the way things are done, bold

strategic innovation requires the leader

to inspire people, sometimes for many

years, before seeing a return. Before

implementing change, discuss its

implications with multiple small groups

of stakeholders. People should feel

free to ask questions and express their

concerns. Help people to see what will

remain the same—these things can

provide an anchor of stability for those

who dislike change.

Opportunities for innovation exist at every level of an organization, and

leaders must continuously plan change to move forward and stay ahead

of competitors. Processes, systems, skills, and competencies can

always be improved, or the whole business can be moved in an entirely

new direction. Leading change requires a sense of balance between

priorities and keen awareness of responses among all stakeholders.

How to recognize the stages

of adaptation to change

Expectation: anticipation

and excitement

Standstill: numbness,

disorientation, denial

Lack of energy: missing

“the old days”

US_138-139_Enabling_change.indd 138 30/05/16 3:02 pm