Week 52, 2019
Organizational Transformation: Behavior, Mindset, and Environment
Each week I share three ideas for how to make work better. And this week, the topic is organizational transformation.
Why am I writing about this? I read an article recently that managed to shift my conceptional frame in regards to transformational change: what it is and where it comes from. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Behavioral Transformation
Transformation happens when new behaviors manifest themselves in the organization. It’s a slow and drawn-out process that takes place once said behaviors reach critical mass; when enough people exhibit the same or similar behaviors.
2. Mindset Shift
Behavioral change is a product of shifting mindsets. And as a mindset is something deeply personal, it can’t be directly influenced. You can’t tell someone to change their mind. You can show the way. But in the end, people have to make up their own minds.
3. Environmental Change
You can’t directly influence mindset. But you can change the environment in which said mindset exists. That is, you can change the physical, technological, and cultural environments (see w372018) in an effort to shift mindsets and drive transformational change.
In summary: the way to affect organizational transformation is to shifts mindsets by reshaping the work environment. One thing begets the next. And there are no shortcuts.
The article, titled Getting Personal About Change, is written by Scott Keller and Bill Schaninger for McKinsey Quarterly. It’s well worth a read.
That’s all for this week.
Until next time, stay calm.
