Change is something that affects everyone in today’s world, whether we like it or not. No matter what profession we’re in, our daily activities are influenced and driven by technology, differing customer demands, employee performance, and economic ups and downs.
How do we react to these constant changes? Well, herein precisely lies the problem for many: “react.” We react. We adjust. But we don’t take the lead. We change systems and processes; we adjust to what technology offers us. And we seem to know very well “what” to do, because it’s a reaction to circumstances. And when it comes to “how” to do it, that’s when we put pressure on our colleagues, our team, our people.
In order to be change leaders, we need to become role models—in our actions and in our thinking. How many processes and systems can we change and adjust successfully without long-term commitment from people? What if we manage to connect to people through thought leadership, through creating a vision for change and following this vision so others can get inspired? What if we look behind the systems, technology, and processes and understand whom it takes to execute them?
Am I the light bulb or am I the light? Am I part of the system or process, waiting for someone to come and switch me on? Or am I the driving force that fuels change and that switches on people around me? The good news is: each of us can make that decision for him- or herself.