Leading Change: Who Will Be This Years' Surprise Football Team?

Every football season a few teams seem to come out of nowhere and exceed expectations.  But, leading change is hard work.  As I am typing this, 6 of 7 new NFL head coaches have lost their opening game.  John Gruden is the last hope (currently leading 10-7) in the Monday Night game. 

I have been fortunate to be on several teams where we dramatically increased the win total from the previous year.  When a new staff comes in building trust to enable change leadership is imperative.

In business, there are three likely options. 
1. You are in the midst of a major change.
2. You will soon be going through a major change.
3. Your business is dying. 

I recently compiled a few thoughts and some of the best books and podcasts on leading change for our team at work.  These are great resources and too good not share.  I am confident they can help you lead effective change for your business.

Leading Change- 5 keys to success

1.     Use the word improvement- Most people hate change, but love improvement.  This simple little change of words can be very powerful and impact the mindset of your team. (Chris Hogan) (entreleadership podcast) (time) 10 minutes https://www.entreleadership.com/blog/podcasts/chris-hogan-comfortable  (7:48 mark)

2. Make the individual the hero- Show them how the “improvement” can make their lives better. Do not sell what it can do for you, what it can do for the company etc. (hint: no one gives a shit) Make them the hero of the story (you should only be their guide). See the world through the lens of the people you are speaking to.  (Donald Miller) (entreleadership podcasts) (also link to his podcast and book)

https://www.entreleadership.com/blog/podcasts/donald-miller-branding-story

https://www.entreleadership.com/blog/podcasts/donald-miller-branding-story-part-2

https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers/dp/0718033329/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498750284&sr=8-1&keywords=building+a+story+brand

3. Use inside out communication- Inspire others to take action by changing the the way you communicate.  Learn what some of histories greatest speakers and the best companies have in common. (Simon Sinek) https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?language=en

4. Connect with key influencers- Every team or business has a few people that exert a disproportionate amount of influence on their peers.  Great "influencers"  invest heavily in these key individuals to be able to sell the change they need. (This is only one example of hundreds of great takeaways in this fantastic book) 

https://www.amazon.com/Influencer-Science-Leading-Change-Second/dp/0071808868/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1535462019&sr=8-4&keywords=influencer

5. Convince your team that "here" is no longer an option- Never cast your vision for the future until you have delivered an air-tight case for why the way you are currently doing things is no longer an option (Bill Hybels- Here to There)

https://youtu.be/Jbba8DJO7MA

Creating a "Coachable Culture"

College football players improve so much over the four or five years they spend on campus.  They get coached hard on and off the field, in the classroom, weight room and even have large parts of their day recorded so they can be analyzed in slow motion.  A no-nothing 18 year old kid comes into a college and may play a position he has never played before and leave knowing every part of the offense or defense, while also picking up a degree in his chosen field of study.  One of the things I loved most about college coaching was literally watching boys grow to men. 

 

 How much have you improved at your job in the last 4-5 years?  How much input have you received from your boss?  How much coaching have you done with your reports?  How much feedback do you share?  How much accountability is there in your culture?  Does your organization embrace a culture of coaching?

 

The "civilian world", as I like to call it, could learn so much from football coaches when it comes to healthy conflict, (the ability to disagree and then commit) accountability and accepting feedback.  Just because you don't have the title of coach in front of your name does not mean you are not a coach.  If you have people who report to you, if you are a leader in your organization then you need to consider yourself a coach.  That is the most important job you have. 

 

You don't need a whistle, a clipboard or a title to make others better.  If you are needing help with how to get started having what could be difficult conversations with your team.  The link below is a brief presentation from an event last week.  Hope it helps you get started coaching your team! 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unvDswFL4XM&t=378s