Perspectives on Change

Exploring the Human Side of Change

“I Hear You’re Having Fun. Stop It.”

There’s a story from the making of the 1945 film The Big Sleep that I’ve always loved. Apparently, Jack Warner, head of Warner Brothers, heard that the cast and crew were enjoying themselves while making the film. So he sent a memo down to the set: “Word has reached...

The Power of Silence in Communication: Why Space Matters

Most of us spend a lot of time trying to become better communicators. We look for the right words, the right stories, or the right way to explain an idea. But over the years, I've become convinced that good communication isn't just about what we say. It's also about...

Bleak Organization: The Cost of Forgetting Your Purpose

Charles Dickens wrote in Bleak House about people who kept fighting long after they'd forgotten why the fight began. A few years ago, I found myself sitting in a meeting that reminded me of that story. It happened during what seemed like a perfectly pleasant meeting....

The Big Questions Before Taking on a Large Organizational Change

General Colin Powell's advice on determining if you should go to war became known as The Powell Doctrine. The exact wording varies depending on the source because Powell talked about these items in speeches, interviews, and his memoirs. But the central ideas are...

The Thought Bubble Test: Start with Their Story, Not Yours

Building trust during change often begins before we ever explain the change itself. People are already forming opinions about us and our message. Yesterday someone knocked on my front door. He introduced himself and told me he was offering free insulation inspections...

And “The Grunt” Lives: How to Influence Leadership Without Authority

A couple of weeks ago, I shared the story of The Grunt—an underground newsletter employees created because they felt unheard. Senior management's first instinct wasn't curiosity. It was to stop it. That's understandable, but it's also revealing. When leaders feel...