How to Guide Individual Change Journeys

Last month, I facilitated a leadership program with one of the topics focused on how to lead change. One of the topics we talked about was the importance if intentional practices, or the moves as leaders we can use to “Act” into the change we want to see and lead. During the session, I shared four of my favorite practices which I’ll share below (and would love to see yours) 🔹 Put on your own oxygen mask first: Before you can lead others through change, you need to get clear on how the change is impacting you. Self-awareness is a leadership superpower, especially in times of uncertainty. Ask yourself: What’s the nature of the change? How is it affecting your mindset, your work, your energy? What behaviors might you need to shift? 🔹 Find your roots: When everything feels uncertain, stability comes from within. Your roots might be your values, your purpose, your strengths, or the people who support you. Staying grounded helps you be the calm, steady presence others need. 🔹Focus on what's staying the same: Change often brings a sense of loss or chaos. But not everything changes. Naming what’s constant, your team, your mission, your principles—can reduce stress, increase clarity, and create a sense of control. 🔹Meet people where they are: The "process of change" (frameworks, timelines) differs from the "experience of change," which is individual and personal. People "only see from their seat," so understanding their vantage point is crucial. Meet them where they are, and bring them on the journey toward where you want to go. What intentional practices have helped you lead through change? #leadership #change

"The degree to which a person can grow is directly proportional to the amount of truth they can accept about themself without running away." At the core of personal development is the ability to look inward and recognize our own shortcomings and areas for improvement. This introspection requires a level of honesty that many find a little uncomfortable. It's easier to blame external circumstances or others for our problems than to acknowledge our own role in them. However, growth begins with taking responsibility for our actions, decisions, and their outcomes. The truth about our limitations One of the hardest truths to accept is that we have limitations. These can be in the form of time, resources, skills, or emotional capacity. Recognizing these limitations doesn't mean resigning ourselves to them; rather, it's about understanding our current starting point. It's from this foundation of truth that we can start to push our boundaries and expand our capabilities. Learning from failure Failure is often seen as a negative outcome, something to be avoided at all costs. However, a truthful assessment of our failures can be one of the most powerful tools for growth. Each failure provides insights into what doesn't work, guiding us towards more effective strategies and approaches. The ability to accept and learn from failure without running away or making excuses is a hallmark of resilience and growth mindset. The power of feedback Feedback from others can be a valuable source of truth about ourselves that we might be blind to. While it can be difficult to hear criticism or suggestions for improvement, embracing this feedback is crucial for personal and professional development. It's important to seek out and listen to honest feedback, even if it challenges our self-perception or comfort. Actionable steps for embracing truth - Practice self-reflection: Regularly take time to reflect on your actions, decisions, and their outcomes. Be honest with yourself about what you could have done better. - Seek feedback: Actively ask for feedback from peers, mentors, and supervisors. Approach this feedback with an open mind and a willingness to learn. - Set growth-oriented goals: Create goals that challenge your current limitations and push you to grow. Use the truths you've discovered about yourself to inform these goals. - Embrace vulnerability: Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Acknowledging your fears and insecurities can be a powerful step towards overcoming them. - Learn from failure: View each failure as a learning opportunity. Analyze what went wrong and how you can improve in the future. Conclusion The journey of growth is an ongoing process of confronting and embracing the truth about ourselves. By accepting the full truth of who we are, we unlock our potential to evolve beyond our current state. #motivation #productivity #selfgrowth

"Why is nobody listening to me?" Is that you? Dear Scrum Master, Change, on a team, should be a journey and not a flip switch because it involves a process of continuous learning, adaptation, and growth. Keep saying it...be patient...change one thing at a time...go for the low hanging fruit first...celebrate every change that has worked...let your team be part of the change process. Here are a few reasons why change should be a journey: It requires a mindset shift: Change requires a shift in mindset and behavior, which takes time and effort. It involves unlearning old habits, adopting new ways of thinking, and embracing a culture of continuous improvement. This shift in mindset cannot happen instantaneously but requires consistent effort and practice. It is iterative and incremental progress: Change is often implemented in iterations or increments. It involves taking small steps, learning from them, and making adjustments along the way. This iterative approach allows teams to experiment, gather feedback, and make course corrections based on real-world experiences. There will be resistance and you will need adaptation: Change can be met with resistance from team members who may be comfortable with the status quo or unsure about the benefits of the proposed change. It takes time to address concerns, build trust, and help individuals adapt to new ways of working. A journey allows for the necessary time and support to navigate through resistance and facilitate smooth transitions. It involves learning and improvement: Change involves a learning process. Team members need time to understand new practices, tools, or methodologies and learn how to apply them effectively. It requires continuous learning, reflection, and improvement to refine processes, overcome challenges, and achieve desired outcomes. It has to be sustainable: Sustainable change is about embedding new practices and behaviors into the team's DNA. It goes beyond temporary fixes or quick wins. A journey allows for the integration of change into the team's culture and ensures that the change is lasting and impactful. By recognizing change as a journey, teams can set realistic expectations, embrace incremental progress, and foster a mindset of continuous improvement. It allows for the necessary time and effort to navigate through challenges, learn from experiences, and achieve sustainable change. Know THIS and know PEACE. #scrummasters #change #journey #continuousimprovement #itsajourney