Make better change
by reducing choice; thinking why not how; and engineer happiness
There are some old
theories which I would like to test and challenge and offer some alternatives
for, which should greatly help you, your people, your goals and the overall
process of change.
TOO MUCH CHOICE IS
NOT GOOD
The first theory is that choice is good; choice is a
function of freedom and wealth and allows better outcomes.
The truth is that too much choice leads to paralysis,
confusion and indecision. Often we procrastinate to the point where a bad decision
would be better than no decision at all, but we dither like a rabbit in the spotlight.
Less choice means quicker decisions and less angst about whether we made the right
choice and more focus on ‘get on with it’.
A poor choice with commitment is better than a good
choice with constant doubt or no decision at all. The job of a leader is to
reduce confusion and create clear choices which people can understand not 30
options which are too difficult to evaluate.
Top tips
Try always to
think in terms of top 5; top 5 people, top 5 risks, top 5 tasks, etc., it keeps
focus
Give yourself a
deadline and if you can’t decide choose option 1, what-ever it is, and get on
with it
WHAT YOU DO, OR
HOW YOU DO IT IS NOT IMPORTANT
The second theory is that is you talk about what you do
(sell, build, buy, design) and how you do it (faster, better, cheaper) then you
will succeed in business and leadership, as if both of processes to be managed.
The truth is that it is more important to think and motivate
people by talking about why they do things rather than how or what they do.
Instead of saying “..do this..”, or “..do it that way..” which is going to
demand constant carrot and stick type supervision, a shared vision of why we do
things can create a sense of belonging, purpose, pride and commitment and have
people drive themselves much harder that you could ever persuade them.
Why is at our core, our very being, and our values our
identity. If you understand why anybody does anything then you fundamentally
understand that person and can engage with that person much better than if you
just understood what they do, or how they do it.
Top tips
Think about why
YOU do things and why OTHERS do things and what common ground exists
Focus on common
motivators rather than common methods
SUCCESS DOES NOT
LEAD TO HAPPINESS
The third theory is that success (working harder, faster,
better) leads to happiness (joy, satisfaction, pleasure). In fact the constant
chasing of the next big thing, the next goal, the next cheque, the next hit is
just plain tiresome.
The truth is that being happy (smiling, being
appreciative, healthy, relaxed, nourished) leads to success since in this frame
of mind we are less stressed, less tired, less anxious and therefore make
better choices, better decisions, have better interactions and enjoy the
moment, and ever successive moment, much more.
Success does not lead to happiness. Happiness leads to
success. The aim is not to work and then smile, but to first smile and then
work. The challenge is therefore thinking about what will make us smile, what
will set-up their great frame of minds. Being with friends, enjoying art,
books, conversation, and music. Enjoying the outdoors. These are more likely to
set-up success than slavishly and resentfully working the hours and saving up
for retirement.
Top tips
Think about what
makes you smile and feel valued and do it, so that you are happier
If you are happier
you are more fun to be around, make sure you make other people happier too
ciChange is planning its’ activities for 2013. If you are
interested in visual management and visual projects please offer feedback via
email or Linked-In.
Tim Rogers
Founder ciChange
timrogers@ciChange.org
ciChange seminar and networking events for 2013 sponsored
by Total Solutions Group http://www.tsgi.co/
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