I think about things that other people think are odd. For example, I’ve wondered for years why it is that almost all business books and consulting pitches assume that the reader or receiver of services is an executive (the .01 to .1% of employees of an organization). That led me to wonder why I, clearly […]
The failed model of executive-led change Read More »
Reading for me is like applying large strips of Velcro to my brain. With each new thing I read, whether a business book, novel or local newspaper, I now have new information that other information can stick to. This new information always seems to help me find the patterns I need to drive the changes
In need of more Velcro Read More »
When you’re leading a team, find your passion within the team’s project or goals and make the team’s work essential to you in some way. Maybe the team’s goal (e.g., expanding housing for the homeless) is your motivation. Maybe you’re indifferent to the goal (e.g., reducing the number of file cabinets in the department storeroom),
Follow your passion Read More »
Years ago I fled my cubicle. The work that was in the cubicle was never enough for me. I wanted to work on the things that were about the work before it got to me or about the work after it left, be that Theory of Constraints for work queuing or manuals for standardizing processes.
Create a bigger [ box ] Read More »
Seth Godin wrote today of Low Esteem and the Factory, of how many companies are still looking for employees they can categorize, command and dominate. He writes: If you want to raise your game and build an organization filled with people who will change everything, the first thing to look for is someone who hasn’t
Keep up the great work Read More »
When Seth Godin tells you to offer your assumptions… Instead of arguing for a course of action based on the status quo or your emotional gut, describe the theory of the case. …he’s outlining the Model II portion of the research and teachings of Chris Argyris. If you want to improve your change driving skills,
Godin, Argyris and Underpants Gnomes Read More »
Regularly I recharge my change driving batteries by sampling the delightful links my friends send me. As I prepared for the long holiday weekend–Happy 4th of July by the way!–I thought, “Why not offer up some link fuel for my Engine for Change friends?” Enjoy! Charles Green reveals the silly secrets of strategy in You
Thanks to the ten people who joined me for the first world-wide Linchpin meet-up day. We had a simple, enjoyable time relaxing over pizza and beverages. I meant to take photos and forgot. Now that I’ve got a taste for how easy it is to put a meet-up together, I may just have to make
Linchpin Meet-up Complete Read More »
In honor of world-wide Linchpin meet-up day (Monday June 14th), here’s a favorite (of many) Seth Godin quotes from Linchpin: “Not My Job” Three words can kill an entire organization. As the world moves faster and engagement become more fluid, the category of “not my job” keeps getting bigger and bigger… …The bathroom at New
Quote of the Week: Do the job that’s not getting done Read More »
Seth Godin’s post “Seized of the matter,” referring to how the U.N. Security Council has a method to seize and hold issues that they refuse then to allow the full body to debate, got me thinking about a few of my pet peeve statements that can slow down or stop change. 1. “When did we
When did we decide that? Read More »
