Connect the dots
Bite sized leadership advice
Make it easy for your team to see why change is needed. Don’t assume that everyone can see and connect things the way you have.
Giving context and the reasons why change is happening will allow your team to apply good judgement if things do not go to plan.
It helps to re-build the mental models in their heads with a fuller picture and appreciate the innevitable trade-offs that you have had to make.
Use some simple principles of good communications
- Keep it simple to reduce confusion. Choose just what is needed to connect the dots together
- Use the power of three; ‘communicate, communiate, communicate’ to reinforce the message. Find ‘sticky’ or surprising data to use.
- Check that your team have understood the situation; ask them to explain back to you in their own words.
Recognise that when first talking about a change, our teams are looking out for one thing and one thing only; what’s in it for me (WIIFM).
There is a risk that any other information will be discarded. Layer the connections once the team are ready to hear them.
If using storytelling, create a vivid picture of the pain before getting to the solution.
Connecting the dots improves your teams judgement and reduces paralysis.
This is part of our Leadership Wizdom series, bite sized leadership advice for leaders who wish to improve their leadership, but don’t have much time. For more indepth articles check out The Change Wizard
