When we are faced with change, we come face to face with tests of our character.
How does the status quo get established as a priority? It is crazy how people fight for the status quo. They treat change as if we are asking them to kick a puppy! Ironically, some people will fight harder to maintain the status quo than they will to maintain their Integrity. Sometimes these people are veteran employees. Sometimes they are the leaders of those employees.
Here are some obvious truths that we all need to embrace.
Change is Coming
There has never been a time in human history where things changed so rapidly. Innovation is happening around us. No matter how hard we push back against it, it is here whether you want it or not. Dig in your heels and complain to others all you want. But you are not going to stop change from happening. The old ways of doing things will be gone - just like the home telephone.
Caveat: We are not talking about embracing change when that change crosses moral or ethical lines. As my dad, The General says: “Hey bud! Be flexible in your methods but rigid in your values.”
Fighting Change Does Not Stop Change
People fought against home computers and smartphones. People at work drag their feet each time a new software program is introduced. When you look back, the people who are now fighting for the current software program, fought against it five years ago when it was new. Did they stop the change from happening? No. They just made it more difficult on everyone on their team, including themselves.
Managers Maintain the Status Quo - Leaders Lead Change
Maintaining things is a good skill to have and good management skills are important. But when change comes, maintaining is not what the team needs. The team needs leadership. A leader needs to step up and say “ This team is about getting better, not staying the same.” The leader needs to be the first to embrace the changes because they are the first to recognize: Change is Coming and Fighting Change Does Not Stop Change.
Is change uncomfortable? Sure! But we need to see our attitude towards change as a character test and question ourselves when we want to pushback on change. Here are the definitions of the Six Habits of Character and some questions to consider when faced with changing the status quo.
Courage: Acting despite perceived or actual risk.
Ask: Am I pushing back only because I am uncomfortable?
Humility: Believing and acting like “it’s not about me.”
Ask: Is my current comfort more important than the progress of our team?
Integrity: Doing what is good, right, and proper, even at personal cost.
Ask: Am I facing a change that goes against my morals or values? Or is this just about my preferences?
Selflessness: Putting the needs of others before my own needs, desires, or convenience.
Ask: If I embraced this change, how am I making things better for others?
Duty: Taking action based on my assigned tasks and moral obligations.
Ask: If I am not being asked to do something against my morals or values, what is my moral obligation to the team?
Positivity: Displaying a positive and/or “can do” attitude, in all circumstances.
Ask: Is pushing back going to bring the team together or divide them?
Often, it is not the change we are fighting. We are actually fighting an internal battle against fear, pride, rebellion, selfishness, laziness, and negativity. When we are faced with change, we come face to face with tests of our character.
The question is do we fight for the status quo, or do we fight for our character?
Questions:
● How have changes tested your character in the past?
● When people fight against change, who are they hurting?
Here is a quick assessment that will take you 5 minutes to figure it out. Nobody will ever see your results but you.
Warning: If you are not going to be honest with yourself this is a worthless assessment.
To take the assessment use the QR code above or go to www.MYCHARACTERTEST.com
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