Change: Doncha just hate it?

Skip Reardon at Be Excellent blog has a 2-part series on Change and how to make it easier.

Pt. 1: Overcoming Resistance to Change

Pt. 2: Why is Change So Hard?

As always, his posts are excellent.

I try to answer 3 questions* when I bring change into people's lives.

What's in it for them?

Why should they care?

Why should they believe?

If I can provide answers to those questions and the resources to make the change, then the details, like tactics, take care of themselves. But if I can't answer those questions, or forget to, then we'll never get to the details. 

Granted, there is something to savor in a good whine. I'm open to savoring it with a good slice of cheese. (I had to get that line in there.) There's something to learn that will help me bridge the gap, clarify the vision or realize the idea's not so great. And the investment in listening yields great returns later.

But, at some point...if everything's been addressed, issues of a data or emotional nature have been faced and answered, positive and negative impacts have been articulate and accepted. And it's in the skill set, and a resonable timeline has been established...then at that point if resistance remains, it's usually a sign it's time for that person to go.

Resistance to change is futile. And Skip's outlined some steps to help you communicate that in your organization.

* I learned these three questions at 2-day Small Business Growth seminar held by Verne Harnish and his Gazelles organization. Their having that seminar now in Las Vegas. But for conflicting travel plans I'd be there.