Change Management: Build on Your Successes
How celebrating successes reinforces a positive frame of mind and builds momentum.
The idea
Walls are constructed one brick at a time. The bricklayers may mark reaching a particular height of bricks with a well-earned break. Progress is made one step at a time as we put plans in place and build a coalition of supporters, ensuring that a particular change is introduced successfully.
As we recognise and build on successes we are reinforcing our own confidence and the confidence of the wider team. Marking a success includes celebration, even if this is just for a few moments.
Building on success is about recognising what is working well and how that understanding can be built into the next steps. A project that is going well should incorporate a process of continuous learning so that you and your colleagues are thriving through the expectations placed on you.
Here’s an example…
Alex was initially resistant to leading a major change programme. She needed encouragement and evidence of progress. When the plan began to come together and others accepted the approach she was taking, Alex began to grow in confidence. When Alex recognised that others had confidence in her, this awareness reinforced Alex’s confidence in herself. She was recognising that she could thrive and not be exhausted by the change.
Alex was also conscious that she needed to keep up the morale and confidence of those around her. When the going got tough Alex knew that she had to keep affirming the progress that her colleagues were making. Alex was precise in the way she acknowledged the contribution of others and thereby reinforced the approaches and behaviours she particularly wanted to see in her colleagues.
In practice
- See progress as a sequence of measurable steps.
- Mark reaching each step, allowing yourself and others time to celebrate progress.
- See success as learning from things that went both well or less well.
- Be precise in the way you recognise and affirm the progress that individuals have made.
- Ensure that the progress made as a result of the contribution of people junior to you is recognised by those in senior leadership roles.
