Adapting to Change. Opportunity is Here.

David S. Brown
President, DSB Leadership Group

The health pandemic left many individuals and businesses displaced and struggling with their identity and with finding their way.  We’ve all been affected and yet some are still at that crossroads not sure of which direction they should go. 

I have had heard far too many people jokingly say that they wish they could ‘hit the reset button’ on 2020 and do it all again.  It has been sad indeed to see so many of our favorite local restaurants and businesses have to close their doors.  Just as sad was the realization for so many of our youth – our future leaders not be able to celebrate their graduation with their peers. 

We’ve certainly taken a punch and it has not felt great.  We’ve had the wind knocked out of us.  You and I are a testament to the human spirit that while we may have been knocked down; we have not been knocked out.  We will adapt to this change and rise up as Champions.

In the 1960’s, a model known as the Gleicher Change Formula was developed to assess the relative strengths affecting the likely success of an organization’s ability to handle complex changes.  While the formula over the years has taken on various tweaks, the overall formula remains relatively the same.  D x V x F must be > than R.

D stands for Dissatisfaction.

Dissatisfied with the current situation. Is it bad enough, or unproductive enough?

V stands for Vision.

What is possible?  What opportunities can we take advantage of?  Is it clear and clearly communicated?         

F stands for First Steps.

What realistic steps can be taken now towards the vision?

R stands for Resistance to Change.

Change for most is uncomfortable.  Resistance to Change needs to be overcome in order for the initiative to be successful.    

All three of the factors must hold some weight in order to drive the change process onwards.

Breakout Session

Choose 1 of the 3

Which of the 3 Components (D, V or F) needs to be addressed to ensure successful change with your business/practice/career?  Now dig deeper and ask What, When and How? 

1 Corinthians 15:8-11

God’s grace was at work.  He did not deserve this change and yet the grace of God still motivated him to change. 

I do not deserve the blessings in my life – yes, I have made plenty of mistakes but I thank God that he has been gracious.  I am a sinner and it is that grace which compels me and so I cannot stay the same.   

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come”

When we accepted Christ, there was an incredible transformation.  What a change and we’ve adapted because of Christ and the Father’s incredible love. 

 

Powerful quote by Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.

Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learned here.

Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.

The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world.

We are not held back by the love we didn't receive in the past, but by the love we're not extending in the present.

In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.

We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what's wrong in your life, or you can focus on what's right.

The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.

Maturity includes the recognition that no one is going to see anything in us that we don't see in ourselves. Stop waiting for a producer. Produce yourself.

I deepen my experience of God through prayer, meditation, and forgiveness.

Psalm 139:14

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made"

Breakout Session

Claim Victory

What do we stand to gain if we adapt and change? 

Now that we have gotten some clarity or should I say perspective, here is some encouragement by way of a few Tips to ensure we seize the opportunity before us.

As spiritually minded leaders, let us truly lead.  This is how you impact the 3 components: Dissatisfaction, Vision & First Steps

Be influential by being full of empathy.  Meet people where they are.

Build stronger connections/partnerships & ideas

Focus on faith and your core values instead of fear. Remember that perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18)