Leading Change Enablement and Engagement

Change is and will continue to be a constant for all organizations and all leaders must be willing and ready at all times to lead the charge. Harmonic leaders must be change leaders, having the willingness and ability to change that which is currently being done to something that possibly has never been done before. They know they must let go of yesterday’s successes and abandon the past in search of a better tomorrow. We have been taught to see the outside world as the source of creation for anything new but the truth is the outside world that we see and experience first begins as a thought from within. Before we can begin to change any situation or any thing, we have to first “imagine” that change within our minds, and then and only then can we begin to move forward towards creating a changed reality. Harmonic leaders know that’s where the true power for change comes from. They also know that the ideas and thinking that created the current states that exist are not the same ones needed to create a better tomorrow. Therefore, harmonic leaders know how important it is to encourage and reward “new thinking” and “new thoughts” in order to move an organization to a new place. The harmonic leader welcomes and encourages innovation while encouraging others to develop new and innovative concepts for solving tomorrow’s problems and delivering world-class solutions. They embrace the idea that everyone should have an “imagination journal” because they know that’s the only way we can not only imagine a better tomorrow but actually begin to create it.

To aid the harmonic leader in managing change I defined the following five guidelines to aid in enabling the change effort:

1. Have a "vision" and then "talk and walk it up" - It is essential that the harmonic leader create a vision that links the present with the future for others when implementing change. They must not only create a vision but become the vision in the eyes of those that follow them. People must have a way to see a glimpse of a better future, a better tomorrow that is attractive and reachable that compels them to move in that direction. When developing the vision, the leader should identify who the key stakeholders are and engage them in helping to develop and bring the vision to life. Beginning with the senior leadership team is a great place to start because they should have the broadest perspective and knowledge necessary to understand the need for change. The harmonic leader must also take time to understand the values, hopes and dreams of others effected by the change and know how to engage them. They also know it is not just about engaging a few individuals but more importantly, engaging the "masses" from the beginning of the change journey. With a vision, the harmonic leader can convey an image to all of what can be accomplished and the benefits and values to be realized when the change is achieved. However, it is important that the harmonic leader neither over promise nor under sell the opportunity when developing the vision.

2. Build a broad coalition of support and use them to help sell the change - Successful change is not easy and usually requires the support and effort of several key people. Therefore, it is essential that the harmonic leader work to build a coalition of supporters and advocates inside and outside the organization. One way to begin is to schedule time with other leaders to sell the value and benefits of the change and engage them in being active advocates and supporters. Ensure they are engaged and prepared to support the implementation of the change. The harmonic leader should continue to sell the vision to all who are impacted. The more advocates and "angels" one has supporting the change initiative the better.

3. Communicate, communicate, then communicate – The need for continuous communications for successful change cannot be emphasized enough. Once the vision and future state is communicated, people will need to know what the expectations are for supporting the change, what steps are being taken, what has been completed and what work still needs to be done, what improvements or impacts have been made and finally, are the objectives being achieved. Communications is also essential to address any anxiety or stress people might go through when faced with major change. To keep people informed on how things are progressing will create more enthusiasm and self-confidence in the ability to achieve the desired results. It is also critical to allow for two-way communications. Not only should people be communicated to, there must be a way of people to communicate to the harmonic leader and other change agents and advocates when needed. The ability to ask questions and get honest answers will go along way in keeping people engaged in the change initiative.

4. Create a sense of urgency – Harmonic leaders must communicate that the need for action is "now" not later. When change is seen as gradual and far off, many people will choose to "wait it out" and "not engage", some with the hope that if they ignore it, it will go away. The harmonic leader must be able to persuade others in the organization that the time needed for change is now versus a gradual slow roll approach. It is important to explain the consequences of waiting versus the benefits of action. Many leaders rely on business cases to communicate the need to act now. Identifying a high return on investing in the change over time can go a long way to engaging and convincing others to "get on board".

5. Decide how you want to "chew the elephant up" then plan for early wins – Large change initiatives can take several months and even years to implement. With a large initiative it is important that the harmonic leader plan a strategy that allows for early and frequent successes along the way. As people experience success they gain more confidence providing them with more energy to continue. That's why it's important that the harmonic leader plan critical milestones of achievements to show progress to the plan and to provide an opportunity for people to stop and celebrate accomplishments. Also, by dividing the elephant into the right "bite sizes" the harmonic leader minimizes the feeling that the change is too large and unachievable.

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.’

— Alan Cohen

I just love this quote.....:)

10 Universal Laws to Know

For as long as I can remember, one of the sayings I always used when I felt people where stuck in the past was to "think a new thought".     This was before I ever heard about the Law of Attraction or Universal Laws in general.  Little did I know I was on to something very foundational and basic when it came to creating what you want.  That little phrase went on to "brand" me not only as a "new thought leader" but as the leader who always encourages others to "think a new thought if you want to create a new reality".  

With that in mind, I will share with you a few basic Universal Laws I have come to know and understand that not only support the importance of "thinking a new thought" but the importance of understanding the rules of the universe if you want to be successful in the game of life.  More to come later........

Law of Thought  

Thought is the ultimate creative source. This law states that energy follows thought and those that wish to energize only need to direct their thoughts toward that, which needs energizing. One must keep in mind that every moment we are creating or altering our experiences through the power of our thoughts. The life we see and experience is a product of our thoughts, our beliefs, our attitudes, our notions, our visions, our intentions, our emotions, our feelings, our expectations, etc…. in other words, all that we think, speak and expect we create.

Law of Harmony

Everything in our universe, including us, is in a constant state of vibration, producing an orderly harmonious (or disharmonious) flow at all times. To be in harmony is to be in harmonic balance and agreement with the Universe. We all seek in one way or another to live in harmony, the supreme potential of balance. This law states that when we reach this harmonious state we often find ourselves tempted to try and force things “into” it versus finding ways to become in “flow” with what’s happening in our Universe. These disharmonious actions will create vibrations that often prevent the desired change or results we seek from taking place. To be in harmony is to be in the natural non-resistant flowing of the universe.

Law of Choice (or Empowerment)

We make choices every instant of our lives. We are empowered to choose our thoughts and thus our ultimate actions and experiences. This law states that we are co-creators with the Spirit and behind all that we create is pure energy. Through our thoughts and visions we create our own realities. We create what we want to have manifested by giving our attention to it. We can also remove from ours lives those things we no longer want to experience by removing our attention from it and refocusing our energy and thoughts somewhere else. The golden rule is where your thoughts go your energy flows.

Law of Courage

Courage is not about being fearless; it’s about facing fear with the right action. This law states that fear departs when action enters. Having courage is having the ability to not only face your fears, dangers and risks but to do so with the intention of diffusing those fears, dangers and risks. Therefore, one must balance the degree of courage needed in any situation in proportion to the degree of risk, danger and fear that exists and must be diffused.

Law of Respect

Respect is essential for true understanding and lasting relationships. This law states that looking for respect means going beyond the surface appearance and to search for a deeper meaning and purpose. Without the law of respect we would never be able to realize and appreciate the true beauty and potential that exists within those that we have the honor to meet in our lives.

Law of Attraction

Opposites don’t attract, like attracts like. This law states that you attract what you are, not what you are not. Opposites do not attract, as it is commonly believed, it is like energy that attracts like energy. Consider radio waves as an example. When you tune into a certain frequency, you attract that same frequency to come through via your radio. The same happens in life. When you focus on something, you attract into your life what you give your attention and focus to. Keep in mind, “as you are is what you attract and what you attract is as your are”.

Law of Karma

The Buddhist teaches that “for every event that occurs, there ill follow another event whose existence was caused by the first and this second event will be good or bad based on how skillful or unskillfully the cause was executed”. This law states that a result comes from deliberate action, either good or bad. Therefore, the responsibility for an action is born by the person who commits it. There is good karma and bad karma, both are a result of the actions, good or bad, taken by the one responsible.

Law of Dharma

Everyone has been gifted with a unique talent and purpose in life. This law states that we all have a unique path and purpose to fulfill in this life called by some “our destiny” and by others “our fate”. It is our quest in life to not only discover this unique talent but to use it “on purpose for a purpose”. It is about discovering your true self in order to live out your true-life mission.

Law of Vibration

Everything vibrates, nothing sits idle, not even you! This law states that everything in the universe is in a constant state of motion. Nothing in the universe rests and everything in the universe is always moving and this is the base for manifestation. Solid items, such as tables, chairs, cars, etc…. all vibrate at a very low frequency which is what causes them to appear solid. The rate of vibration determines the difference between the physical and the non-physical world we experience. Our thoughts and feelings are energy and they too vibrate. We attract like energy based on the vibrations emitted by our thoughts. This is how we manifest the physical in our world from the thoughts we give our attention to.

Law of Manifestation

Everything we see in our reality began as a thought. This law states that everything we manifest begins as a thought or idea. It is our ideas and our thoughts that create the beliefs we have which in turn create the reality we experience. In other words, “mind creates matter”. If you want to change your experiences or your reality, then you need to change your mind. Remember to “change the way you see things and the way you see things will change”.