LEADING CHANGE STARTS WITH PERSONAL CHANGE

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LEADING CHANGE STARTS WITH PERSONAL CHANGE

• The Association of Independent Schools
• 2004 Executive Conference
• 25th-26th July 2004
• Mercure Hotel Sydney

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LEADING CHANGE

• Leading change in self
• Leading self in change
• Leading change in others

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A Butterflys Lesson
One day, a small opening appeared in a cocoon a
man sat and watched for the butterfly for several
hours as it struggled to force its body through
that little hole.
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Then, it seems to stop making any progress. It
appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could
and it could not go any further.
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So the man decided to help the butterfly he took
a pair of scissors and opened the cocoon. The
butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a
withered body, it was tiny and shriveled wings.
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The man continued to watch because he expected
that, at any moment, the wings would open,
enlarge and expand, to be able to support the
butterflys body, and become firm.
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Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent
the rest of its life crawling around with a
withered body and shriveled wings. It never was
able to fly.
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What the man, in his kindness and his goodwill
did not understand was that the restricting
cocoon and the struggle required for the
butterfly to get through the tiny opening, were
natures way of forcing fluid from the body of
the butterfly into its wings, so that it would be
ready for flight once it achieved its freedom
from the cocoon.
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Sometimes, struggles are exactly what we need in
our life. If we were allowed to go through our
life without any obstacles, it would cripple
us. We would not be as strong as we could have
been. Never been able to fly.
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I asked for Strength... and I was given
difficulties to make me strong. I asked for
Wisdom... and I was given problems to solve. I
asked for prosperity... and I was given a brain
and brawn to work.
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I asked for Courage.. and I was given obstacles
to overcome. I asked for Love... and I was given
troubled people to help.
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I asked for Favors... And I was given
Opportunities. I received nothing I
wanted... But I received everything I needed."
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Live life without fear, confront all obstacles
and know that you can overcome them.
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THE NATURE OF CHANGE

• Change is part of life
• Change is constant
• We need to change to be more fully alive
• Without change we die
• Our personal reaction is what is important

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DONT BLAME CIRCUMSTANCES

• People are always blaming their circumstances
  for what they are. I dont believe in
  circumstances.
• The people who get on in this world are the
  people who get up and look for the circumstances
  they want, and, if they cant find them, make
  them.
• (George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950)

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CHANGING MINDS IS NOT EASY

• Faced with the choice of changing ones mind and
  proving there is no need to do so, almost
  everyone gets busy on the proof (John Kenneth
  Galbraith)
• .

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WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR REACTION TO CHANGE

• Understanding that we are directly and
  personally responsible for our reaction to change
  is the key to managing resistance to change and
  to fostering our willingness to embrace change as
  a challenge rather than as a catastrophe.
• (Wildblood, 1995)

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LEADING CHANGE IN SELF

• Reflect on who you are, what you stand for
• Reflect on and critique your relationships and
  practice
• Seek feedback and listen to it
• Maintain a holy curiosity
• Set achievable goals for improvement
• Celebrate you learning and improvement

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LEADING SELF IN CHANGE

• Be aware of how those close to you respond to
  change sensibility
• Be aware of your own emotional and behavioural
  responses to change notice any defensiveness or
  blaming
• Reflect on how you can best contribute to the
  development of trusting and productive
  relationships

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LEADING CHANGE IN OTHERS

• Be an authentic leader
• Focus on developing authentic relationships
• Be present for others
• Practice small kindnesses
• Involve others from the start
• Recognise and reward those who contribute to the
  change
• Share responsibilities and successes
• Banish fear

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REFLECTION ON LEADING CHANGE

• What is your philosophy for change?
• What advice would you give anyone who has been
  asked to lead a major change in your
  organisation?