Change Isn't a Speed Thing

From an article in HBR...

“Unsuccessful transitions almost always founder during at least one of the following phases: generating a sense of urgency, establishing a powerful guiding coalition, developing a vision, communicating the vision clearly and often, removing obstacles, planning for and creating short-term wins, avoiding premature declarations of victory, and embedding changes in the corporate culture.”

“True transformation takes time — and happens through a series of phases. Skipping steps only creates the illusion of speed and never produces a satisfying result.”

Illusion of speed is a VERY real problem. I was once celebrated for it. It isn’t real and it needs to be rejected so that real change can happen.

Real change happens in a methodical and slow manner where small bites are taken step-by-step with effective measures along the way. Skipping through these steps, or measures, means you are skipping through the essential elements that drive real and long-term change.