Change.
What is change?
Is it an action?
Is it a reaction?
Is it a habit?
Is it a behavior?
What is change?
Change is a constant movement in time and space that we endure in all aspects of our daily lives. A question I often ask my clients is,“Are you willing to embrace change or resist the movement of change?”
At any given point, a leader must make a critical decision about a particular change, whether it be a staffing issue, design change or production increase. During this decision-making time, I ask, "How are you going to implement this change?" As my client reflects upon their answer, I begin to share this story. Imagine yourself preparing for a boating venture on a local river for the day. As you stand on the river’s edge, about to launch your boat, with your paddles in hand, you have to make a directional decision for your journey. Are you going to paddle with the flow of the river to move more easily to the new destination, or are you going to row against the tide and slow down progress?
In recent conversations with some of my business friends about how they are leading their companies through the ever-changing landscape of technology revolution and globalization, I have learned that they have been mostly incorporating new processes and tools to enhance human behavioral changes in the work place. Like me, they understand the ongoing need to grow technology skills of individuals in order to streamline current processes, grow productivity and efficiencies to be competitive in today’s global market.
Yet, I have found through research and many years of working with the development of human capital on various levels for both large and small companies in vast array of industries, that unless you address the conviction of the human heart and the person’s professional beliefs, none of the latest or greatest technological tools and skills will change the behavior of the person. Which leads me to ask, “How can one change one's behaviors, if one does not change the compass of one’s heart?”
I often reflect upon one of my favorite sayings inspired from the Book of Proverbs, “Like water reflects a face, so the heart reflects the person.” I like to cite this quote when working with clients on their developmental journey to grow their leadership foundation. I challenge my clients by asking, “What do you believe in?” “Why did you pursue this career path?” “Where does your courage to grow and lead others come from?” “What are your core values and beliefs that made you the leader you are today?” “How do you empower others to follow your mission for the well being of the team and company?”
I often conclude this stream of questions with one final question:“How can you answer any of the questions, unless you believe -- from your heart -- in what you are doing from day to day, as a person and as a leader?”
I believe it is the heart that guides one to be their true self. Our heart teaches us to believe and stand steadfast for what we believe in. Our heart gives us the courage to know when to go with the flow of the running river or against it, for the betterment of ourselves and those around us.
“The heart acts as our compass of understanding to help us determine what is right or wrong.”
Although we are equipped internally with one of the greatest compasses to guide us, I often find that it is the heart that most people shut off first when confronted with changes, challenges or adversity in their day-to-day lives. Throughout the years, I have seen the impact that turning off the “heart factor” has on many companies. I believe that many of today’s leaders are struggling to maintain good core values, a healthy culture and a positive work environment.
Over the last ten years, many companies have invested much of their time and money in a variety of technological tools, training programs, outdoor adventures and community activities with the hopes of solving challenges and impacting behavioral habits in their team members. These tools and programs prove beneficial for the individual and team in the short term, yet the gains fade away within months of implementation. Why? You cannot change a person's behavior through technology or training tools. I believe that a courageous and inspirational leader, who leads from the heart with the desire to serve others, can empower individuals and team members to grow and choose to change their behaviors. In turn, these leaders encourage their team members to join them as "owners" on a mission with a strategic plan in place for the betterment of the company.
I often share with clients that I am not here to change them or change their hearts. "Your heart," I tell them, "is a gift created just for you from the Heavens above."
I am here to encourage you to follow your courageous heart in order to change your behavioral habits and grow to be a greater person—a "servant leader"—in any and every aspect of your life."“If you choose to change, things around you will change.”
To change, one must choose to let go of one’s pride/ego and trust the true heart. It is up to you to discover your courageous heart, to create the type of life that you choose to lead.
