Players on a soccer team are faced with changing conditions every game they play. Ground, pitch, weather, supporters, opposition, game tactics, player positions may all change. During a game, tactics, player numbers, and positions may continue to change. The players don’t resist change. They embrace it and say “game on”. The managers are our change management professional who need to stop ‘doing’ and start ‘strategising’. They create the strategy and game plan to ensure that the players are resilient in the face of constant change. They ensure they’re physically and mentally fit. They do this by creating a network of change coaches. The coaches are trained and have organisational change management capabilities. Coaches exist at every level of the organisation. They support the players through communication of game play, acting as advocates for constant change, provide coaching to enable resilience, liaise with the managers in regards to changes in strategy and approach, and continue to grow the coaching network. The coalition of
managers, coaches, and players
ensure that there is resilience in the face of constant change and that everything possible is done to ensure a workforce of sound body and mind. Players are educated in regards to their own personal resilience and provided with programs on emotional intelligence and mindfulness. They learn how to regulate emotions and reframe situations to have a positive context. They understand the power of collaboration and adaptation. They’re realistic optimists and know how to be authentic and bring their best selves to work.
For those readers shrugging their shoulders at the mention of mindfulness: Here in Australia, Richmond Football Club were the winners of the Australian Football League (AFL) in 2017, and attributed a large degree of their win to the introduction of their mindfulness program.
If organisations are going to remain relevant in the face of constant change they need to focus on the people side of change. This is a call for action, not lip service.
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Karen Ferris
Organisational Change and Service Management Rebel With A Cause at KarenFerris
Karen is an internationally acclaimed service management professional and organisational change management practitioner with a reputation for providing both strategic and practical advice, assistance, and insights for organisations in their implementation and maintenance of efficient and effective business and service management. Her most recent accolade was in December 2018 when Karen was announced as Winner of the Change Management Institute (CMI) Victoria 2018 Rebel Award. “The person breaking all the rules to make things better for all” She is an author, facilitator, trainer, speaker, and coach. Her most recent book “Tactics to Win When Change is Constant. Game On!” will be available for purchase in February 2019.