Article from SmartBrief by Dana Theus, Published 9th June 2020
Dana explores the Change Leadership lessons that are coming from COVID19 and the Black Lives Matter protests. Its clear that there are no simple answers but she suggests two leadership truths to help guide through the crisis.
- Stories, Facts and Beliefs
Facts do not lead to beliefs and facts could not guide us even if we knew them. Our unconscious bias will always be the ‘invisible hand’ that sets how we think, assess and respond.
“The truth is that when we become aware of how our beliefs and biases contribute to how we see facts, we gain control over the stories and beliefs that guide us and those we tell to others to guide them. Whether in a company, nonprofit or a public institution, great leaders do not confuse facts, beliefs and stories; they understand and accept their role in creating the fictions that bind us as an organization and a society.” - Leading through Change
The key to leading change is welcome resistance and to welcome difference of thinking, demonstrating true respect for those with different opinions. Strong leaders do this not just to show respect, but also because in resistance are the clues for success.
“Resistance is a gift to any change effort, because the seeds of resistance hold clues to your success”
Holding a conflicting view while respecting the other person is uncomfortable and requires deep listening to hear and acknowledge, ultimately its not what you say as a leader, its what you do and how you act. - Being a true ally is uncomfortable – do it anyway
You might never actually truely understand the issues others face, as a Change Leader you are privileged, you need to respect those willing to make you feel uncomfortable as they help you better understand. Tell stories – because through the telling of stories people connect and you can demonstrate that you understand and are willing to learn and change.
“With apologies to Gandhi, be the change the world needs from you even if it’s different from the change you wish to see in the world. We’re all counting on you, and the time is now.“
Dana Theus is an executive and organizational coach and a thought leader on change, Follow her on Twitter @DanaTheus and on LinkedIn.
Read the full article on SmartBrief https://www.smartbrief.com/original/2020/06/what-protests-demand-our-leaders