Recognising our own professional gaps is a key step in the change journey. It enables us to prepare for the journey ahead. We discover what we need to do now to prepare for the development later.
In this article, the sixth in our change series, we are at the ‘Preparation’ step in the Complete Step Change Wheel.
The Complete Step Change Wheel has four phases each with three steps – giving us 12 steps in the leaders’ journey. The four phases correspond to the process of human development – waking up, owning up, growing up and showing up or Discover, Decide, Develop, Deliver. Each stage builds on the last, helping you overcome obstacles to help you deliver at a new level. By understanding where you are on the wheel and what steps you need to take you can more effectively move your way through the developmental framework at greater pace.
How to master step six of the change journey
Step six is all about preparation and that means knowing what behaviours we’ll need to develop at step seven. Fortunately, academic research from the likes of Harry Schroder and Tony Cockerill has pin-pointed the 11 behaviours that really matter. Of these, three (all in the ‘imagine’ cluster) are fundamental to step six of our change journey. They are:
These behaviours support our preparation for change, but they involve asking for help and that’s something that might not come easily to you. Not seeking help can impair our ability to change. Some of the best change agents in history exhibit curiosity and are open to all the many various inputs needed to prepare for change. When curiosity trumps fear or uncertainty, there is an openness to the possibility of change. We achieve what many call a ‘growth mindset’.
Shortening the information-to-deployment cycle with appreciation
Many people struggle to deploy what they learn – to put the theory into practice. One way to help and to accelerate our progress is to cultivate the art of appreciation.
Appreciation may not come easily. You might be one of the many people who have spent years judging themselves and believing they are not worthy – not successful enough, not thin enough, not resourceful enough - the list is endless.
The appreciation skill is something taught in Complete coaching engagements. It is designed to make us much more conscious of the things in our life we should give thanks for. The process may be simple, but it’s an antidote to self-judgement which is a massive drain on our energy.
Cultivating appreciation starts with listing all the things you appreciate about yourself. Don’t just think professionally, but also socially, emotionally, mentally and physically. Practice appreciation every day – when you’re in the shower, on your way to or from work, or even over dinner with the family in the evening.
With the practice of appreciation, we add rocket fuel to our ability to learn. The change journey requires new learning and appreciation supercharges the move from theory to practice as we prepare for the next step.
Take the next step in your leadership journey
The Step Change book is a valuable resource for your own learning at any time in the change journey, but especially at step six.
You might also want to consider leadership assessments (such as a values profile add a behavioural assessment) that can give you validated insights into your own developmental needs as you prepare for change.
For more bespoke developmental assistance, the right kind of executive coaching – especially to build skills like appreciation – can be a huge benefit. Get in touch if you want to find out more about Complete coaching for executives.