Patience, Perseverance and People : My Three P's for change management.

Over the last year, as part of my plan to stay active and healthy during the pandemic I have taken to fitness training like never before. It is a way to fill my time, destress and ensure that I keep my body strong and healthy in case the worse should happen. As winter drew in and the gym was often closed, running outside was not always an option so I wanted something different that I could do at home. My trainer introduced me to the idea of skipping rope. Skipping rope is a full body workout and little did I know that it was not only my body that was going to be tested but my mental fortitude was in for the ride of its life. Something as seemingly simple as skipping a rope immediately was very challenging. Failure was constant. Frustration high and success in this endeavour was going to require the big guns of change management. Or as I like to call them The three P's. Patience, Perseverance and People.

Leading change is probably one of the most arduous challenges I have ever been faced with, and yet it's one I love to have the opportunity to embark on given the chance. I welcome it with open arms knowing full well that its about to get ugly and painful. Change is, exciting at first, often messy and difficult in the middle and requires a significant amount of time to get through to the end successfully. However in many ways it's a hard route to personal development and growth. The world is ever changing and change management is an important aspect of good leadership. Embrace it !

There are many resources out there for you to read about change management so I am not going to reinvent the wheel. If you would like some recommendations on great reads head over HERE for my list of favourite reads on this and other subjects.

I have read a lot, failed a lot but also succeeded a lot. After 20 years of managing teams and change, looking at my successes I notice that for me there are three elements that are always present when success is achieved.

Patience - 'the art of being steadfast despite difficulties, failure or opposition'

Implementing change requires careful planning, selling a vision, breaking down the process and leading people's hearts and minds to go on a journey with you. Wether it is a small project or a full on company reorganisation it's going to require a lot of patience.

• Patience to take the time to fully onboard your teams and colleagues to come on a journey with you.

• Patience to understand that your pace is not necessarily the optimal pace. Whilst it's important to instil a sense of urgency be mindful of the fact that change is hard.

• Patience to remain steadfast despite the difficulties, failures and opposition you will encounter

Perseverance 'the continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition'

It goes without saying that where there is the need for patience, the need for perseverance is a short way behind.

• There will be times when the mountain seems too hard to climb. Persevere one step at a time will get you to your goals

• There will be times when people around you will make you doubt yourself. If you believe in your plan, persevere if you don't, change the plan and persevere.

• There will be times when all doors will seem to have closed up, at these times especially, if there is time, persevere. it's amazing what we are able to achieve under pressure.

Sometimes the result may not be what you originally imagined but remember, the chances are that in the beginning of the process the one real certainty that you had was that change needed to happen. The route to that change and final goal may vary as you go on your way.

People 'human beings making up a group or assembly or linked by a common interest'

People will be the make or break for your success. The people you surround yourself with, your tribe, will have a profound effect on your mood, your drive and ultimately your success. Choose wisely and do not be afraid to ... wait for it .. CHANGE!

• Surround yourself with people who have your same drive and complement your skills they will be the engine of your success

• Nurture the alliances and friendships that will help you on your way. Build a tribe of like minded individuals you can turn to in times of need.

• Get rid of toxic people and people who are simply no longer on the same wave length as you are. It happens. Priorities change, People change.

As for my skipping rope, what started as a physical challenge quickly became a mental exercise in patience and perseverance and with a bit of help and encouragement from my trainer I have gotten better but still have a long way to go.