Back in the Blog of Things?

I haven't posted in what seems like forever, but I have been adding comments to other people's blogs; it finally occurred to me to just use the TrackBack feature, post my comments here, and "light two candles with one match."

So, here's the first comment-cum-post, on TScott's post referencing a Krafty post about change management.

I have gotten the chance recently to both encounter the kind of barriers TScott, Krafty (and Michael Stephens before them) describe, and to be perceived as the barrier myself. The simple fact is that everyone has a logical reason for their behavior. Now, that reason may not be a good reason, but it is on some level important to them.

The key to success in navigating the barriers desribed is to a)uncover the reason behind the barrier and b)address the reason itself insead of the barrier, which is just a symptom. Bashing the barrier will only make your head hurt.

Now of course, my reasons for being a barrier are all good, and noble, and have nothing at all to do with my ego or other personal issues. Ha ha. But, for example, my staff is having some serious issues with a new scheduling system I've created. Unfortunately, their repeatedly saying, "We don't like this" doesn't provide me any incentive to change it. My job isn't to make my staff happy; my job is to successfully create a structure that allows flexibility for change and adaptation. I've told them, if you can provide alternatives that still meet this underlying need (successfully create a structure that allows flexibility for change and adaptation), then I'm all ears. Otherwise, I'll continue to be an annoying "barrier" saying, "This is the way it's going to be."

Where's the barrier in your life? Is this person or group acting as a barrier "on purpose," or because they "don't get it"? Or, is there something else going on there? Look for the "something else," and see if you barrier doesn't become a little more manageable.