Hi everyone!
Join our VP of Sales, Diane Flinders, as she finishes up her reflections on Jennifer Mueller’s book Creative Change Why we resist it….how we can embrace it. If you missed the last post, you can catch up here!
Let’s dig into it:
In the last few chapters Mueller gives us several strategies to counter balance our natural tendencies to resist something “new” or unfamiliar, by utilizing certain techniques, we can actively adjust our mindset and embrace “Creative Change”. Understanding the underlining issue, is psychological we start with “priming”. Priming is the work we do to set the stage for understanding. If we bring a new idea to market without context or some point of reference high levels of risk will come to the forefront. We have already identified uncertainty is the trigger that causes most decision makers to block funding for good ideas.
To do a good job of “priming” Mueller lays out steps for success. FAB; fit, aha, and broaden; does the idea fit with the company? Does it make sense to your core capabilities? Aha, is there some essence of the idea that causes an Aha moment? And the final step Broaden. This step is intriguing as it requires the team to step out of the echo chamber and look for minds that aren’t invested in the outcome but could benefit from the “Creative Change”. Mueller’s Wisdom of the Crowd(WOC) gives the team a twofold benefit. One, when we engage people in the process, or ask for their involvement they psychologically become engaged into the success even if they themselves are not the ultimate decision maker. This may be one strong reason we see crowd funding as successful as it is today. The power of the crowd is half the battle in transforming mindset. Second, more obvious benefit, just the act of seeking feedback takes something odd or quirky into a safe mindset that transitions from odd to familiar through discussion.
Mueller fully lays out how these strategies work on the organizational and leadership level. She leaves us with impact. When we learn how to work with the end in mind knowing that we want to make a difference, make an IMPACT Mueller reminds us the key is our own mindset.
If a new idea causes a knee jerk reaction or what Mueller calls the “ick” reflex in you be willing to say, “I may be wrong” this is a positive step in embracing creative change. A parting thought, Michael Jackson stated it best, “The Man in the Mirror” is where it all starts.
