Greetings!
Here is a question I received: It seems like people
are aware of the challenges facing us but they won’t
get started doing anything. What’s going on?
You’ve probably heard the expression that people
need to see the burning platform before they will
change. Well, that’s not enough. Imagine that you
and I were having lunch somewhere along the Gulf
Coast. We look out at all those oil rigs and we see
one burning. I say, “Hmmm, that’s a shame.” And
you say, “What do you think, maybe we probably
should call 911?” So one of us pulls out the phone,
makes call, and then we go back to the dessert
menu.
But, imagine a difference scenario. Now we are
standing on that platform and beginning to feel the
heat reach our toes. And it continues to get hotter.
We would not only see the burning platform – we
would feel it. And we would be compelled to do
something to save ourselves or stop that fire. That’s
a very different experience.
It’s easy to assume that just because people see a
problem they will connect it to their own lives and do
something differently. (I am delighted that it is the
middle of February because now I can use the
machines I want at the gym. The New Year’s
Resolution folks, who never really felt much burning
urgency to change, have stopped coming until next
year.)
But enough about me. . . I am particularly fond of
Open Book Management which keeps people up-to-
date on the issues that affect their organization. And
that helps people see and feel the urgency. If you’d
like to know more, you can read a very short article I
wrote on the subject. Open Book Management
Change Management News
“Finding Common Ground in the Most Unlikely Places”
is my most recent blog post about a coalition on
healthcare reform that includes Wal-Mart and SEIU.
Wow. Here is a link: Cha
nge Management News
Change Conference
In the last issue I mentioned the Nexus for Change
Conference that I plan to attend. I was glad to hear
from so many people that you are now going attend
as well. . . FYI: I just learned that the conference is
almost full.
Nexus for
Change Conference
Please visit my web site
Sincerely,
Rick Maurer
Maurer & Associates
phone:
703-525-7074
