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Likewise, the abandonment with which people engage in Facebook, Twitter, Ning, MySpace, etc., creates whole new exciting educational possibilities that didn't exist a few years ago. I recently read the fastest growing group of people on Facebook are women over 40. Forget the NetGen, we're all living-on-line.
However, I'm seeing something troublesome begin to happen. It appears to be the assumption that some of us are either too old, not techie enough or just not interested in the online or "modern" environment. I've seen it with computer skills but most recently in an assumption that a traditional pipe organist cannot or will not, learn to play non-traditional church music on electronic keyboards. The problem is that the parties involved aren't being asked if they have the interest to learn. An assumption is made, action is taken and that's it.
We all have preferred ways of doing things. In the public section it's called WIIFM.."What's in it for me?" Very few of us move out of our comfort zones unless we can see something in it for ourselves. WIIFM could be new friends, a new skill, greater happiness, a more healthy life or a benefit for the community. Whatever it is, it has to have meaning for the people we're asking to change.
Most people don't immediately jump into whatever is new. That's for the cutting edge junkies. Something comes into wide-spread use when people begin to see how it can positively impact their lives. I remember telling a friend I thought phones with cameras in them were stupid. Then I found myself on vacation and camera-less but with a phone. You better believe the next phone I got had a camera. My point is this...if you are a person who is leading a technology change, don't assume those who say things like "Twitter is stupid" are not on board and never will be. Give them a chance by helping them see the possibilities.
- Help them by teaching them or by leading them to the resources so they can teach themselves. The more someone uses something the more comfortable they become.
- Remember the "learner's mind," that is, how confusing something new is to someone who knows nothing about it.
- Ask them if they have an interest in learning about non-traditional music played on an electronic instrument or in understanding what an RSS feed is and does. Don't assume and then make decisions based upon your assumptions.
- If after all of that, you decide the person really isn't going to be able to adapt, be kind to them. They deserve more than "you no longer fit our organization."
What's in it for you? How about living the values that demonstrate great leadership? Those don't change, no matter what world you inhabit.
Reminds me of a great piece written by Phil Schlecty on "Frontiers of Change." Schlecty said that there were five approaches to changes: the Trailblazers, the Pioneers, the Settlers, the Stay-at-Homes and the Saboteurs.
ReplyDeleteWhile Trailblazers (who seek continuous novelty and excitement) are kind of fun to be around, significant cultural shifts really happen when Pioneers and Settlers adopt change. Pioneers are willing to take risks and adopt change early on, but don't want to go first. When there's someone to tell them about benefits of the change, they'll come along. And when they're there, the Settlers follow along. Settlers often provide considerable information, but discussing pros and cons. Trailblazers, on the other hand, sometimes find themselves with no followers.
Stay-at-homes won't get in the way, even if they prefer not to change, themselves. They may even admire those who do adopt change. It's the Saboteurs (who use a range of strategies and identities to sabotage even productive change) who are genuinely fearful of change.
Someone asked me today if I thought this was a case of the younger generation taking over their leadership places and getting rid of older people. I said "No" but I didn't think about models like Schlecty's. Thanks. It makes a lot of sense. Now to get over my moral outrage at people who treat the Pioneers and Settlers like Saboteurs.
ReplyDeleteI've also experienced a dynamic community of multi-generationals gathering around social media just because, the gist of it, its also just plain fun. Generational divides seem to dissipate when the "trailblazing" energy seems present.
ReplyDeleteSocial media is providing tools and access that previously were only available within families, around campfires, in office hallways, water cooler space, and such. Pioneers and settlers also had their share of excitements (check out "Shane") in the Wild West. Survivability had to do with community and managing the rules and boundaries. Seems pertinent to the changing nature of business these days.
For the future, the media and what happens to journalism, as well as GM, may suggest where the newest trailblazing may happen, as well as what happens to all of the boomers still hanging around working on Act III or IV of their career and life, with the assistance of some tools that didn't exist 2-3 years ago.
Saboteurs? Are there some leaders that "aren't" in there, along with the morale outrage reference?
Well, I'd prefer to see more about the Trailblazers and Pioneers. It is an aspect of change that creates positive pull, direction, and perhaps even positive deviance new business and careers. Poor treatment of others continues to be job for advocates, leaders of another sort. Where is it best to direct one's energy? What creates energy, leverage, motivation, and what's important?
I'm interested in where are we headed and what new leadership values are emerging. What is the trail to be blazed? Who is leading it?
We got global...what are the new lessons teaching us now that the venerable GM is in a financial headlock and global/social tools including Facebook and 2nd Life are becoming, for some business planning, a baseline?
The naysayers, the dull thinking, the Saboteurs, sap our strength and waste our time. Immovables is a kindred term. Where's and what is the new wild west out there in these "interesting times?"
Deb @ http://umhealthyorgs.wordpress.com/