Sometime ago I posted a question on LinkedIn. I asked what the most challenging aspect was when implementing lean transformation program. The responses surprised me. They were overwhelmingly indicative that changing the mindset of people and not tools or techniques was the greatest challenge to transformation.
Indeed changing one’s tightly held belief, values, practises, habits and viewpoints is difficult. The more I look into it, the more I realised many organizations struggle with changing mindset.
Here are 5 questions that helped me understand the subject better. I hope you will find them useful too.
The First Question – Why do I need to change?
If you are happy with your current situation, there is no need to change anything. However, in the business world, things are changing all the time. It is getting harder for organizations to continue to prosper without investing in continual improvement either in systems, product or sales and marketing. Therefore, the business environment tells us that there is a need to change.
The Second Question – Why change my mindset?.
Einstein once said, “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. He also said “we cannot solve problems with the same thinking that created them”. Enough said.
The Third Question – How to get people to change their mindset?
“There is only one way under high heaven to get anybody to do anything, Did you ever stop to think about that? Yes, just one way. And that is by making the other person want to do it”. These are the wise words of Dale Carnegie.I have used his techniques and found it very effective. I urge you to read his book How To Win Friends And Influence People to do just that.
The Fourth Question – What do I do with barriers to mindset change?
Understanding the forces for and against change is the first step to implementing real change. Barriers such as objections to change might be misunderstood as personal attack and that is not too productive. Analysing and quantifying the barriers will put things in a more objective and less personal manner.To do this, try Force Field Analysis. This is a simple tool but it does help to clarify and quantify the forces that are for and against change.
The Fifth Questions – Where can I find out more about mindset change techniques?
Here are two references that I found useful:
1. QUIET LEADERSHIP by David Rock. This book explains the scientific background and technique to reach “A-HA” moment.
2. FREEZE AND UNFREEZE model by Kurt Levine. A simple way to understand the process of change.
As this is a blog and not a textbook, it barely scrapes the surface of the subject matter. However I hope you find these information useful and intriguing enough to get you started on your own journey in dealing with mindset change.
What are you looking to change today?
KY Loke