You can read about the change management program I conducted in Trinidad by following either of these links.
http://www.southfloridacaribbeannews.com/story.asp?ID=4088
or
http://www.news.gov.tt/news/article.aspx?id=7677
Popularity: 12% [?]
Here are some additional thoughts on the power of change. Perhaps the best way to get a handle on the new change paradigm is to think bigger! In fact, big picture thinking is the essence of the new paradigm. That’s because starting with the whole and then working your way to the particular is the most economical way of problem solving, and we’ve got a lot of problems needing to be solved.
Big picture thinking helps you to see that change happens more as a side effect than a direct effect of the choices people make. You know how this works:
Waves of Change
Side effects set in motion waves of change that consistently surpass the imaginings of previous generations. The venerable saying still holds true: Feed a person a fish, and they eat a fish. Teach a person to fish, they fish until they catch one, and a now-well-fed child grows up to discover how fish oil cures disease.
As the paradigm shifts, the person who wants to ride the waves of change must Read the rest of this entry »
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A POEM ON THE POWER OF POSITIVE CHANGE
It’s not our methods for managing change.
It’s the way we approach it that’s a little strange.
Seek to fix yesterday rather than build tomorrow.
Fixate on control to your continual sorrow.
If work takes you backwards, eventually
You’d rather eat popcorn and watch TV.
We’ve got to change way we change.
We need an approach that carries through.
Change artists are needed.
Can you find the change artist in you?
Here, then, is the secret to the ART of Change.
Change the R to a C and expand your range.
ACT is an acronym for ART of this type.
Appreciation. Creativity. Teamship. Not hype.
APPRECIATE that this is a moment Read the rest of this entry »
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Beginning your persuasion proposition with momentum is an essential communication strategy when you are working to create positive change in your relationships, at your work and in your world. The theme of my recent posts has been exploring how transitions help you prepare your persuadee to be open to your positive persuasion proposition (build momentum).
We’ve covered: Transitions—where you complete listening and begin the shift to talking here. Thee types of Transitions: Asking for permission here; and two other approaches (’Claim the bridge’ and ‘One step at a time’), here and thought provoking statements here.
Today we’ll look at another transitional opener:
Ask for a YES
Closely related to asking for permission is asking for agreement! If you’re certain that you’ll get a yes of agreement to a particular idea, you can say it as question as a way of transitioning into your presentation.
Here is a good example of this type of transition Read the rest of this entry »
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One of the common issues that come up when I am working with any size of organization on essential communications skills is: how can we have (more) productive meetings?
Have a Plan & a Purpose
The worst-case scenario for group discussion is when everyone is against you and you’re fairly certain that you’re on your own. If you ever find yourself trapped in a tiny space between a rock and a hard place, then stop and re-group. Back up, back off, buy some time and step back into the fray when you have a plan and a purpose. Use the interim time to find your allies, because there is strength in numbers. If you can’t find anyone to support you, that is likely feedback that you’re on the wrong track. Lick your wounds, learn from the experience, and move on, all the wiser for it.
Focus on Ideas and Outcomes
The best-case scenario for group discussions is Read the rest of this entry »
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This continues previous posts on the topics on a key skill in Phase Two of The Art of Persuasion.
Phase One is trust building here. Phase Two is the Transition—where you complete listening and begin the shift to talking. I posted on Transitions here; asking for permission here; and two other approaches (Claim the bridge and One Step at a time), here. Here is another kind of transition for your Art of Persuasion tool chest.
A thought provoking statement
What do people find thought provoking? A paradox or a challenge to the existing paradigm will quickly do the trick.
“If you don’t care about your results, they don’t give your attention to what I’m about to say.”
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
“If there’s one thing I know, it’s that you can’t take anything for granted.”
Thought provoking statements are difficult to understand, at least when you first hear them. And that’s why they make you think. This is a great thing to do was someone who you suspect is or might be just interested in your persuasion proposal. The intent is to engage their mind before their mind disengages from you.
Throw down the gauntlet with Read the rest of this entry »
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For those of us involved in fine-tuning our skills in The Art of Persuasion, you will recall that every persuasion interaction has three phases.
This post continues with two additional Transitional Openers—claim the bridge and one step at a time.
Claim the bridge
“…I want to tell you about (provide a short summary of your desired outcome.)”
This works well when time is short and there are other items on the agenda. It also works great with the communication need for action because it is direct and to the point.
One step at a time
“… I want to discuss/explore/develop an idea with you that (short summary of the desired outcome.)”
This connective phrase offers Read the rest of this entry »
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In my last post on the topic of transitional openers, I discussed the Pivotal Moment of Transition. Today, let’s talk about another technique to pack in your positive persuasion toolbox.
Ask for Permission
“…May I tell you about a way that we can (short summary of the desired outcome)?” If you choose to ask for permission, make sure that you wait to receive it before proceeding. Because this is a question, it requires a response, thus involving your persuadee.
Asking for permission tells people that they are involved in what they are about to hear because you value, recognize and appreciate them. Once someone gives you permission, his or her consent becomes the green light for you to present your persuasion proposition. Asking permission works, because anything you say with permission is bound to find a more receptive audience than anything you say without it.
This works well with almost everyone. Specifically, it works well with people who have a communication need for approval and appreciation. You can vary the degree of directness and understate it with care and consideration, or say it with enthusiasm, depending on what you’ve learned about your persuadee. Or, ask for it with care and enthusiasm. But ask for it.
A Reason to Say Yes
Permission also gives your persuadee something to say yes to, and yes it’s almost always a good beginning to persuasion. In fact, asking permission is so Read the rest of this entry »
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This continues my last post on apologies. Today I will share my view of the key elements of a successful apology as a part of essential communication skills.
If you want to apologize successfully, in order to end conflict and restore a relationship to a positive or neutral condition, you’ve got to overcome your urge to defend, explain and justify your behavior.
You may or may not regret your actions and choices, because they may have made sense to you at the time. But you can sincerely regret the consequences of your actions and choices. You don’t have to take the side of the other side, or even accept blame, but you do have to recognize the result and be willing to take restorative action.
Here is a recipe for a successful apology: Read the rest of this entry »
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An Apology is A Signal
An apology signals the desire to repair or restore a relationship. Forgiveness signals the will to let the past be past so that the relationship can move into the present. Giving an apology may be only the first step in a long journey towards building a new relationship, or it may be the entire journey in a single step, depending on the capacity of the offended party to forgive.
The ancient Greek word for forgiveness is APHESIS, which means “to let go.” When you let go of carrying anger and hurt, you are letting go of holding on to the past, and freeing yourself up to be present and create a better future. So when you give forgiveness to another, you’re actually doing something for yourself. Letting go lets you stop hurting about the past. Letting go let’s you start fresh.
As I work with my coaching and counseling clients, I hear that their fear is the obstacle to asking for and giving forgiveness. Some people fear Read the rest of this entry »
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