Change! The word itself sends shivers down the spine of most people. It is often seen as a nemesis, an adversary. Finding those ready to do battle with change is far easier than finding those who embrace it. I am sure we all can agree change is good (well some change). Then why do so many react as if defending their very soul when confronted by it. It can be a concrete barrier to progress.  Even the slightest change can ignite the wick of an emotional explosion. Sometimes that explosion even comes with limited knowledge of the facts and reasons for the change. It’s different and often that is enough to clear a room. The next Leadership Condition we’ll discuss is Change.

The opening may or may not be you but I would have to declare that in my experience everyone becomes at least slightly on guard when in the mist of change. Putting up your defenses is not necessarily a bad thing as long as they can be quickly withdrawn as the facts become evident. Change is a condition that triggers the release of Leadership. I previously defined this Leadership Condition.

The condition of change is when an element that hadn’t existed in the present is introduced into the organization or team. Change could include technology, policy, people or any variable that disrupts normal currents within the organization or team. Change can also stimulate other conditions like Adversity and Selection.

Change can be independent or intertwined between the fabric of a more complex situation including other Leadership Conditions. When change is present a strong Leader will recognize that Leadership is needed if everyone is to survive.

A newspaper writer once commented on the invention of Ford’s Model T Automobile. Clearly hind sight is 20/20 but this writer didn’t have that luxury. He stated,

“ Ford’s Model T is nothing more than a rich man’s toy and the automobile will never replace the bicycle”

Change is best left to the experts. Clearly he couldn’t be more wrong as we know today, the automobile is integrated into many facets of modern living. Households have multiple cars and the advances of the engine now have us reaching for the stars via the moon, mars and other celestial bodies. Change was good. But let’s take a more modern look at change.

On September 11, 2001, the world changed before our eyes. Most people alive today can remember clearly what they were doing that morning as American Civilians were attacked and tragically murdered. Even our global neighbors felt this sinking feeling in their stomachs knowing that at this instant change was inevitable. 2,995 souls were stolen from us on that day. If you were at work, or home or anywhere, life stopped as we all stared into our televisions to try to grasp if this event was really happening. Emotions were horrifying as we witnessed the incredible loss of life in as little as 2 hours. That was almost 1500 people dying per hour or 25 people every minute during that nightmare.

As Americans we realized much needed to change. Our airport security increased to unprecedented levels. We began a national debate on who was responsible and how would we retaliate. Early, there were more questions than answers. Within our macro and micro communities, Leaders stepped up to help us all adjust to how this infamous event would change the way we live. During change, people need Leadership.

I was consulting a group of business owners on Leadership and Social Media. Sure it may seem like an odd partnership but they are very relevant and related to each other.  This particular group was not part of the early adaptor crowd and they were curious but their initial thoughts were that Social Media was a fad. Those of you who know the value of Social Media would disagree sure. This group was right and wrong at the same time. The Social Media they knew probably was a fad. The Social Media I know is here to stay until it evolves into something better. They were part of a community who was starting to use Social Media and they feared it because they didn’t understand it.  Change threatens some people and they may recoil into adversaries if a Leader doesn’t step up to lead them to the light.  After some training and demonstration, they realized they were not that far behind and they could learn these new tools. Many negotiated their fears and moved through the dark cloud. The others, they’ll come along as they discover value.

Change is a delicate tool. The right tools can incite productivity or the wrong tools can delay it. A strong Leader will step up in the mist of it. His or her followers depend on that leadership. Think of the change you have either been victimized by or acted as a catalyst for your goals.

• What was the event?
• How did people feel about it? Was the change seen as a friend or foe?
• Who stepped up and what did you notice them doing?
• What made you step up to Lead the team through it? Or what prevented you from stepping up?
• What was the outcome?

Change is an opportunity to succeed. It can propel you out of malaise and adversity.  It can surface the leader in those you never noticed. It can change a team, organization, a nation, even the entire planet. As a leader it is up to you to recognize this condition and bear the burden of paving the path to success for those following.

You can follow me on @TerrenceWing and @LiquidLearn