Everything Changes

When Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki was asked about the true meaning of Zen Buddhism, he replied, “Everything changes.”

Minute to minute.  Hour to hour.  Day to day.  Things change.  Successful managers understand this.  Ones who are less successful fight it.  Cling.  Hold on.  Put in place rules, rigid procedures, anything to hold back the tide.  Some need this security for themselves; others believe their people need it.  And I’m sure some do.

But it can be a futile path.

The best managers accept change.  Do they plan?  Of course they do.  They create road maps and then sit back a watch them change!  This is easier because they do some important work up front – they embrace and share a vision and create fundamental operating principles.   People who work for them know these, and when the tides shift, they can adjust within these parameters.  

These managers create mechanisms to communicate changes quickly so action can be taken.  They leave space for additional work on their road maps, and they don’t hesitate to drop or delay projects that no longer serve the business or the people who work for them.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, successful managers have trust.  They believe that whatever emerges, they will be able to handle it.  

So as 2012 begins, how will you prepare yourself and your teams for the inevitable changes?  I believe this is the most important work you will do in the coming year. 

Oh, and the best news about change?  While the good times don’t last forever, neither do the bad!  Happy Ever-Changing New Year all!