Change Management

Helpful Insights into Change

Leaf

A 2008 survey by McKinsey of 3,199 organisations around the world found that only one in three change projects succeeded. Having worked in Christian organisations and Churches for many years, my observations would suggest that we are a long way from that percentage. Most of the change projects I have observed don’t work because they are top-down and they don’t take into consideration the irrational side of human behaviour. Here are some surprising statements by Jim Collins (Author) that you might consider next time you look at change:

  • The highest level leaders are humble people who attribute their success more to other things beside ability.
  • Don’t try to figure out where to drive the bus until you get the right people on and the wrong people off.
  • People are not your most important asset; the right people are!
  • Look for character in new leaders before knowledge or skills.
  • Don’t run away from the bad news; encourage everyone to confront the brutal facts of current reality, because you can’t make good decisions without the facts.
  • Those who hit the realities of their situation head-on, emerge stronger from adversity.
  • Spending time and energy to motivate the wrong people is a waste of time; the real issue is not to de-motivate the right people.
  • Don’t have too many rules and regulations; you only need them for the wrong people.
  • The key to success is not vision or strategy, but finding the thing you do best.
  • “Stop doing” lists are more important than “to do” lists.
  • New technology or programs will not create a breakthrough.
  • Crawl, walk, run is a good approach in times of rapid change.
  • Effective transformations occur slowly and are like a heavy flywheel gathering momentum.
  • Don’t worry too much about motivation or alignment; they will follow as momentum grows.
Coaching Questions
  • Have you got the right people on the bus?
  • What do you do to keep abreast of the facts about your ministry?
  • What are you doing to find out what you do best as a ministry?
  • To what extent is your team or ministry flexible and adaptive when it comes to change? Why/why not?
  • In what ways can you better prepare to manage your own or other’s fear, shock, stress and sense of loss from a change?

Colin is the Director of ResourceZone International. He has 30 years of ministry experience as a pastor, college lecturer and consultant/coach to consultants, denominational leaders and local church pastors. He can be reached at info@resourcezoneinternational.com
 
 
 

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