Some personalities thrive on change, taking risks, high diving, sky diving and bungee jumping. Other personalities wrestle with change questioning not only the why but the what, when, where and how.
Regardless of your personality or preference that doesn’t stop change from happening. I guess when it comes right down to it, we must be “all things to all men” and without a doubt that requires some change.
Sometimes change happens to us and sometimes it happens through us and sometimes they both happen at the same time! So, if you are currently in the process of leading change, here are seven items you will need to initiate change.
The 7 Items
1. Vision
“Without prophetic vision people run wild, but blessed are those who follow (God's) teachings.” Proverbs 29:18 GWT. You may be more familiar with the King James Version of this verse which says, “without a vision the people perish.” Someone once said that without a vision the people will find a new parish.” Vision requires responsibility to act. Remember, “We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” Max DePree.
2. Enthusiasm
“If it is encouraging others, devote yourself to giving encouragement. If it is sharing, be generous. If it is leadership, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping people in need, help them cheerfully.” Romans 12:8 GWT. Attitude is everything and, it’s contagious. A leader with an enthusiastic attitude and positive spirit rallies the team and rallies others to lead change so lead change with enthusiasm!
3. Perspective
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV. Keep a proper perspective with you as you lead change. Never hang your head in defeat, when you do, you loose perspective. Remember, you have everything you need to lead change. Albert Szent-Gyorgyi said, “Discovery consists of looking at the same thing and thinking something different.” The next time you feel stuck as you lead change look up to discover not down to defeat.
4. Love
“I may give away everything I have, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love.” 1 Corinthians 13:3 NCV. We need to lead change with a plan, that’s true, but we also need to lead change with a heartfelt love for others that may be struggling with the current circumstances. Lead change with a healthy balance. Lead change with compassion in your heart and a compass in your head.
5. Persistence
“God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient.” Colossians 1:11 NCV Someone once said, “Change is to a plan what wind is to a flame. It fans the great and extinguishes the small.” If there is one thing I can promise you as you lead change is resistance and resistance requires persistence. Bad news to a fearful heart extinguishes the change. Bad news to a persistent heart fans the flame into a raging fire!
6. Faith
“Bad news won’t bother them; they have decided to trust the LORD.” Psalms 112:7 CEV. Faith will always require a step into the unknown. “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to loose sight of the shore.” Andre Gide. Are you willing to sail away from the known into the unknown? It’s the only way you can lead change.
7. Action
“Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 GW. Once you have done your research and homework don’t forget to act. We don’t want to get stuck in the paralysis of analysis and never make a move, never start the process of leading the change God wants. Henry Ford reminds us that, “You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.” Now, get busy with it! It may be your time.
Question
Are you leading a big change right now? What is it? Which one of the 7 items do need most right now?
Photo Credit: shutterstock.com Image ID: 108406310 Copyright: Brian A Jackson