TWHS#082: Drive Change: Be Effective Not Efficient

As a leader you need to be able to drive change.  Contrary to popular belief, that doesn't mean you just tell people what to do, at increasing volume until they do it.  Particularly, if you're working with smart, engaged and motivated people.

In Ep56 of the Tech World Human Skills podcast, I talked with Ben Caird about being efficient vs effective.  It's worth a listen.  A lot of my thoughts were shaped by "The Servant Leader" book by James A. Autry.  I read it years ago and he talked about efficiency vs effectiveness. 

Efficiency

The most efficient way to drive transformation is to think of a plan and then tell people what to do.  It's really quick to do.  But it's also the least effective way to do it.

It leads to little buy in, poor engagement and ultimately no change.  And if you came up with the plan on your own, it might not be the best plan anyway. 

It feels quick and efficient, but it's rarely effective.

Effectiveness

This brings the stakeholders into the decision making process.

By asking questions to team members, stakeholders and customers, people feel heard and understood.  They have great ideas that help shape the destination.  Those that helped shape the destination are more committed to the journey.

So listen to their opinions.  Then craft the plan.  Communicate that plan and get going. 

The Gotcha

But there's a gotcha.  At some point you must stop talking and get going.  Take this too far and nothing ever gets done.  Change by committee often results in paralysis.

So ask people what they think.  Listen.  Then take some action.

Anyway, ….

It reminded me of a story a friend of mine shared with me: 

He's a super smart, driven chap.  He has an amazing ability to understand a system, think through the levers that affect change, and generate a brilliant plan on how to move forward.

A few years ago he got a new boss.  That boss had grand ideas and plans on how to move forward.  He didn't want the opinions of others, he wanted people to execute his vision.

I remember having a beer with my buddy and he said "I haven't been asked my opinion in months. I didn't realise "What do you think?" was such a powerful and empowering question, until no-one asked it anymore."

It was a crime not to be using his capability.

So if you need to get something done and drive some change, think about how you do it effectively and successfully, not efficiently but fail.

Hope this helps.

BenP

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