Happy Ever-Changing New Year!

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

Successful managers understand this.  Ones who are less successful fight it.  But it is a futile path.

The best managers accept change.  Do they plan?  Of course.  They create road maps and then sit back a watch them change!  This is easier for them to handle because they’ve done some important work up front.  They’ve created and shared a vision and developed fundamental operating principles.  People who work for them know these, and when the tides shift, they adjust within these parameters.  

These managers create mechanisms to communicate changes quickly so that 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 – in themselves, their process, and their people.  They believe they will be able to handle whatever emerges.

The concepts in this blog were first published in January 2012.  As another New Year is upon us, it felt like a good time to revisit them – and to take a few moments to reflect on the past 4 years.  What major things have changed?  How did these impact you?  How did you handle them?  What did you learn?   My guess is that what you’ll notice most is the best news about change – while the good times don’t last forever, neither do the bad!