How often have you heard that in organizations, change starts at the top? For long-term changes to be implemented sustainably, executives need to support and model transformation with dedication and vitality. But the implementation of change tends to be a long process – and the roots of transformation are not typically found on the executive floor.
Saying that “change starts at the top” is a little like saying that spring starts when the trees have already gone green, their leaves fully formed. But we know just from looking at our calendars, from botany and from our simple observations of the seasons that in reality, spring sets in much earlier. And with a little mindfulness, these beginnings become easier to recognize – for leaves are preceded by shoots, or tiny bulges hardly visible on the branches at first. An organic and cyclical understanding of change sees its beginnings in more hidden places and attends to the seedling stage as the foundation of a flourishing spring.
Sharpening Your Senses to Perceive Weak Signals
This way we can trace the beginnings of transformation in organizations back to much earlier points in time. Every big change is heralded by weak signals sent out long before decisions are made by any board or CEO. Information coming in from the marketplace or a company’s surrounding environment reaches its peripheries first, those places with direct contact to the outside world. It might be a product that isn’t selling as well as it once did, something noticed only in the sales department at first. New technologies can develop or certain positions might not be as easy to fill as they once were, which people working in recruitment will be the first to perceive. Turnover could increase; human resources may receive complaints about the company’s leadership culture. New laws might be passed that have far-reaching effects on specific parts of the organization.
Any of these examples can be catalysts for thinking about transformation and planting the seeds of larger ideas for change. This is where pioneers recognize early signals and respond to them. For example, by talking about them with others, making colleagues or executives aware of a situation, researching it further or even creating new concepts altogether.
Think about it: how many of the changes in your environment were implemented by pioneers and their networks, through their innovation and drive? That’s why good executives know how important it is to perceive weak signals and allow for space to discuss them. Perhaps you yourself are one of these pioneers?
Good Questions and Compelling Answers
It’s particularly important to be attentive to the quality of seed thoughts and of the soil where they are planted. What types of attitudes and intentions yield transformational ideas? What kind of a culture should an idea be “planted” into? Does it perhaps need a specific kind of fertilizer? Does it need to be dug up, given some space and fresh soil? Maybe the transformational idea requires a larger change in the organization’s culture, one that also needs to be shaped consciously?
Such questions can help build a holistic vision from an idea, giving it an internal coherence and credibility. These are the foundations of the lobbying work required to get an organization’s leadership on board and produce a compelling plan of action. Even an executive or CEO needs to do this prep work in order to be sure that their leadership team fully backs their pioneering vision.
Strategic Alignment with Seed Thoughts
A clear intention for change born from a seed thought helps shape that transformation from start to finish. Even better if this thought is fully articulated and consciously expressed, for example, as part of a vision. This helps bring clarity to communication around change and fosters a goal-oriented energy. In the process of unfolding and implementing transformation, it’s worthwhile to reflect on this foundational idea regularly and adjust the change strategy accordingly.
Not every seedling will necessarily bear fruit in the end – and the earlier this is addressed, the better. But if the seeds are nurtured and cared for, the soil prepared and the seedling given space to unfurl, then even an idea that seems small at first can grow into something big and transform an organization.
Photographs: Waldemar at Unsplash / Bogomil Mihaylov at Unsplash
