No doubt the best leaders have a high level of optimism. Without it, how could they embrace innovation, inspire people, drive change and make transformation projects work? This post brings you valuable tips for your transformation projects and an inspiring story.
Optimism is more important than ever. In a world of fear and negativity, we need people to bring us more hope. That is one of the reasons I subscribe to the Centre of Optimism, which my friend and associate Victor Perton has created.
The Centre for Optimism is a movement supporting realistic and infectiously optimistic leaders to be beacons in the fog of pessimism and cynicism. “Making Transformation Projects Work” is one of the events they organise. Its panel of transformation experts includes Senior Change Manager from NAB, Jeff Kerr-Bell, and one of my long-time clients and associates, Kay Clancy.
At the heart of their presentation is a proven process that helps leaders to oversee successful transformations in their businesses. Today Jeff Kerr-Bell shares with you his checklist for successful transformation:
8-Step Checklist for Successful Transformation Projects
- Vision: Develop an inspiring Vision.
Think change that embraces an enhanced culture in the organisation to improve the lives of the team, leaders and stakeholders. - Leadership: Appoint Realistic and Infectiously Optimistic leaders.
Think about how Leadership can create the desire, knowledge and reinforcement for successful change. - Stakeholders: Define and Understand the stakeholders.
Analyse stakeholders with the focus on developing a change-ready culture. What is their culture? - Scope: Determine the scope to everyone is on the same page
What are the parameters to implementing and achieving the Vision? - Strategy and Processes: Map the strategy and processes to move from the current state to the desired state. How are we influence the stakeholders towards the desired state?
- Resources: Ensure the program is resourced with ‘enabling’ people with supporting budgets. Define resourcing needs – people and technology – to achieve success.
- Engagement: Build and influence people to embrace the change.
Map out the engagement processes to influence, educate, communicate and lead to achieve the Vision via demonstration, championing, education, communication and reinforcement. - Governance: Govern with an optimistic and positive outlook. Establish a framework that inspires success and overcomes fear, where risk is assessed as an enabler, not a preventer.
How should the project be monitored; how should it be measured and evaluated (re KPIs) to ensure it remains on track or adjusted to achieve the Vision
The following diagram reflects these 8 critical elements of a successful transformation. They enable transformational leaders to inspire their followers to perform remarkable results beyond their perceived capabilities.
To read about an example of optimistic leadership, I invite you to check my post about Dr Nour – Young Australian Of The Year – 2022. Imagine your transformation project driven with the same passion and optimism!
Helping Build (Cultural) Bridges
In 2021, Bridgeworks worked with several organisations, helping them to transform their respective cultures. The 8 step process above really does work.
Be aware that the sticking point can be the second point above: “Appointing realistic and infectiously optimistic leaders”. You may not be able to replace your current leaders, but you can certainly learn to be a more engaging, effective, and influential leader.
Talk to us if you are wanting to make better leaders from your current managers.
Wayne Dyson – 0402 300999
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