Moving Mountains

Someone once said that changing a culture is like trying to move a mountain, whoever they were, they were spot on. Winning hearts and minds is relatively easy, converting this good will into sustained behaviour change is much tougher. Part of the reason that effecting behaviour change is tough is because at times the change requires skill as well as will and alongside this a degree of confidence is required. Just because you convince someone that doing things a certain way is the right way it doesn’t mean that they are able to do it, I always use David Beckham as an extreme example, he could drag my fat out of shape butt onto a footie pitch and easily convince me that he way of play deep penetrating passes is the best way to play when out on the right wing, but when it comes to playing in a football match and actually making those penetrating passes my lack of football skill will prevent me doing it, even though I have been persuaded that its the right thing to do!
So how do you get around this? Well, in my extreme example there is no getting around it as I’m just not cut out to play football. Taking a less extreme example, the way round this is through training, lots of positive reinforcement, clear direction and constant follow up. Getting the basics right is crucial and the small wins that will arise from this will boost moral and give confidence.

on a separate note, today is my last roadshow. I’ve enjoyed everyone of them and gained a lot from doing them. My challenge is how to pull together a presentation for next weeks conference that does not repeat everything that I have been telling people for the last 6 or so weeks…….wish me luck.