“If you always believe what you’ve always believed, you will always think the way you have always thought.

If you always think the way you’ve always thought, you will always feel the way you have always felt.

If you always feel the way you’ve always felt, you will always do what you’ve always done.

If you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you’ve always gotten.

If there is no change

There is no change”.

Unknown

I always thought of myself as an adventurous person, a person who seeks new experiences and  lives by the motto that CHANGE is not only good but is the spice of life. I have lived in five different countries, I have switched four different high schools and each was taught in a different language, I have changed homes, friends, jobs, and lifestyles and I have been able to adapt and survive. Yet, I am attached to my 12 year old green VW Cabrio, (which by the way is falling apart) and I don’t want to look for a new car, I have favorite restaurants where I aways order the same thing, I live in an overpriced rental apartment but I am terrified to move to a cheaper place which will provide me with a similar comfort.

Why?

What I have come to realize is that although CHANGE may be good it is not always painless. Some might enjoy change and I admire them because in general these people have an easier time meeting live’s different challenges, but I am not one of them. However because I know that CHANGE is necessary, I do force my self to undertake new directions because I know that “if there is no change, there is no change”.

Due to my own struggle with change I was thinking about some of the things that would motivate me to undertake change with more ease at the work place and how in term I would motivate my subordinates. Of course since I am my own boss and I have no subordinates (besides my husband and my dog ) it is all hypothetical, nevertheless I firmly believe that adopting an attitude  of change will help any manager achieve better organizational moral and improved bottom line: Here is what I have come up with:

As a manager I will establish a variety of channels of communication so that my subordinates feel comfortable to come with their comments, concerns, and new ideas, anytime. I will involve them in the process of change. I will educate them and communicate to them the need for change and the steps that we need to take. I will use empathy and I will go above and beyond in assisting my subordinates into a smoother transition of their new roles. I will reinforce the change by continuously communicating. I will focus my efforts on allowing my subordinates to develop their potentials and talents. I will reward them not only through monetary compensations, but also by always providing them with feed back and always recognizing and acknowledging their efforts. I will encourage open communication and face to face discussions of new ideas about the strategy and operations of the company.

I will strive to be a good leader.  I would like to be passionate and knowledgeable, demanding but fair. I want to be able to have a strong vision and to communicate it clearly to my subordinates. I would like to exemplify hard work, I will set high but attainable goals. I would like to inspire my subordinated to take charge. I will strive to know my subordinates on one on one basis so that I can nurture their strengths and help improve their weakness. I have know that honesty and integrity are the most valuable qualities in a leader and I will support open communication based on these qualities. I would listen to my subordinates, because I have know the importance of seeing things from the other person’s point of view. While I would expect my team to be devoted to the company and work hard I will set a time to rest, by acknowledging every team member’s birthday, and special events.

When it comes to business, the ability to CHANGE is what sets a successful business from a failing business. In today’s complex business environment organizations must always search new and improved ways of operating. The drive for efficiency, competitive advantage, and shareholder value forces managers to challenge the validity of old practices. Change is at the core of every organization and is the most important quality of a successful management team.

When managing change, mangers need to understand that the key to organizational success lies within the people involved. Creating the right environment by unlocking the potential of the organization’s employees is of key importance for organizational effectiveness.