Perspectives on Change
Exploring the Human Side of Change
Decisions Make Themselves — If You Let Them
“We do not make decisions, decisions make themselves, but only if we’ve allowed ourselves to pave the ground by passionately exploring all of the options.” — Peter Brook, theater director Lately, I’ve been thinking about space. That thinking eventually led me back to...
Before You Make the Plan, Talk to the People
Early in my consulting career, I got a call about a department in a state government where management and labor were at odds. Important work wasn’t getting done. Tension had been building for a long time. Someone decided it was time to bring everyone together. They...
“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...
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