“There are three things that are certain in life: death, taxes and change. You can’t avoid change, it’s mandatory, progress however is optional.”
- Unknown
Much wisdom is necessary if we are to continually change forwards rather than backwards. At some time we have all experienced progress being three steps forwards, one step backwards.
As we get older, we should get better at changing forwards. A reflection on the painful errors of judgement in our past should inspire us to positive change rather than fearful retreat into isolation.
Changing Forwards may not be as painful or complicated as some believe. In Charles Duhigg’s book “The Power Of Habit” he tells the story of Paul O’Neill, a former government bureaucrat who was installed as the new CEO of Alcoa, (Aluminum Company of America) best known for producing aluminum cans and bolts that hold satellites together. In 1987, Alcoa was starting to lose ground in the market place and a change of leadership was welcomed until the day Paul was introduced to a full turn out investors.
To the audience’s confusion, he began his opening address. “I want to talk to you about worker safety.” THIS was going to lift Alcoa out of its downward slide? At the conclusion of his address, many investors rushed to the phones to sell their shares in the company. But by the time O’Neill retired in 2000, he had lifted the company’s net income by five times the amount when he assumed his role as CEO.
His secret? He attacked one habit and watched the changes ripple through the organization.
Changing forwards is not about changing everything as quickly as possible. IT IS ABOUT CHANGING ONE KEY HABIT THAT PRODUCES AN INSPIRATIONAL REWARD THAT IN TURN INSPIRES MORE CHANGE.
David Marquet was given the worst submarine in the U.S. navy as his first command. He was certain that the hierarchical style of leadership was preventing modern submariners from reaching their potential. Instead of waiting to receive commands, he trained his crew to say three words to their superior officers. Those three words were “I intend to.” In the two to three years he adopted this practise, it changed the culture by inspiring the crew to learn their job better and exercise initiative for the tasks before them.
When coaching individuals or couple in BWC’S Design a Decade program, we help people create the new habit of meeting weekly to consider one of life’s key responsibilities, and plan the projects that will take them to their ten-year goals. We are amazed to see so many changing excitedly forwards.
Changing forwards? Easy. Pick a key habit to change or create, and watch the changes ripple through your life
