Change Starts with the Boss
by Miki SaxonThe thing she [behavioral psychologist] taught me—and this sounds obvious—is that behavior is a function of consequence. We had to change the behavior in the organization so that people felt safe to bring bad news. And I looked in the mirror, and I realized I was part of the problem. I didn’t want to hear the bad news, either. So I had to change how I behaved, and start to thank people for bringing me bad news. —Joseph Jimenez, chief executive of Novartis
The behavioral psychologist was brought in after a consulting group was paid to provide “better, more robust process, with more analytics,” which changed nothing.
When we started RampUp Solutions in 1999, we spent a good deal of effort coming up with a tag line that easily explained the services we provide.
After several iterations we finally settled on “To change what they do change how you think”
Over the years, I’ve heard and read story after story of how all kinds of changes—from turn arounds to improved productivity to retention—all started with a change in the way the boss thought.
And that applied whether the boss was CEO, team leader or somewhere in-between.
Stories and discussions about change tend to focus on the actions that bring about the changes, instead of starting at the beginning with the hardest work,
Work that requires the boss, at whatever level, changing the way she thinks and then dispersing and embedding those changes throughout her organization.
So before you hire expensive consultants or seek help from advisors look in the mirror to determine how much of the problem is you.
Flickr image credit: manymeez
October 10th, 2011 at 7:57 am
You just nailed the main issue with failed change efforts. Change starts in the head (pun intended. . .). Many times when I’m brought into a company, bosses want me to help change everybody else but them. Doesn’t work!
It always amazes me how bosses are more willing to waste money than to change their thinking and behavior. The trick is how to find a way to help bosses see the ROI of changing the way they think and behave before trying to embed those changes throughout their organization.
Great post!
October 10th, 2011 at 9:51 am
Dr. Ada, Thanks for your kind words.
I’ve seen many bosses like the ones you describe and the saying “more money than brains” always hovers in the air. I often wonder how their boss would react if they really understood the underlying reason for the expense—or it their boss has his own consultant for the same reason.
Thanks for taking time to share your experience.
November 9th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Keeping a healthy relationship with your boss is very crucial to sustain in an office. You have to work out for it.
November 10th, 2011 at 10:22 am
That’s very true, but it’s a 2-way street. Trying to maintain a healthy relationship with a toxic boss is an exercise in futility.
Thanks for stopping by and adding your thoughts!