W4D1 Wald

Leading Change (John P Kotter) Chapter 6 Notes

Communicating the change Vision “Development of a transformational vision often requires those on the guiding coalition to spend a few hundred hours collecting information, digesting it, considering alternatives, and eventually making choices.” “Focused, jargon-free information can be disseminated to large groups at a fraction of the cost of clumsy, complicated communication.” Key elements if effective vision communication · Simplicity · Metaphor, analogy, and example · Multiple forums · Repetition · Leadership by example · Explanation of inconsistencies · Two way communication “…whenever jargon is used, some people will understand and feel included while most of the audience will feel confused and left out.” “Well chosen words can make a message memorable, even if it has to compete with hundreds of other communications for people’s attention.” “All successful cases of major change seem to include tens of thousands of communications that help employees to grapple with difficult intellectual and emotional issues.” “When they see top management acting out the vision, a whole set of troublesome questions about credibility and game playing tend to evaporate.” “The cynical among us, in particular, tend not to believe words but will be impressed by action.” “Imperial, feed the mushrooms manure styles of management are dying out.” “If mixed signals can’t be eliminated, they are usually explained, simply and honestly.” “…two way discussions are an essential method of helping people answer all the questions that occur to them in a transformation effort.” “…most human beings, especially well-educated ones, buy into something only after they have had a chance to wrestle with it.” “If people don’t accept a vision, the next 2 steps (empowering individuals and creating short term wins) will fail.” “The downside of two way communication is that feedback may suggest that we are on the wrong course and that the vision needs to be reformulated. But in the long run, swallowing our pride and reworking the vision is far more productive than heading off in the wrong direction – or in a direction that others won’t follow.”