Perry Maddox recounts taking his one year-old to a swim lesson, where he ended up receiving a masterclass in how to lead change.
“Today we won’t be teaching him to swim…
… we’re going to train you.”
So began our one year-old’s first swimming lesson. Our instructor made it as clear as the blue pool water.
This was about teaching me how to encourage our little one into the water, to help him feel the water, and to support him in this new experience.
It was a brilliant lesson, and this change junkie took note.
This Metaphor Smells Fishy.
Every hear this one?
Water is to fish as culture is to humans.
Or maybe this one?
The last thing a fish would notice is the water it is swimming in.
Chances are, if you work or study in an intercultural space, you’ve come across these fishy metaphors.
After all, water is a great metaphor for culture, isn’t it?
Much as fish swims in, is surrounded by, and is ultimately shaped by water – almost without knowing it – so are people by the culture in which we live, breathe and work every day. Small wonder we feel like a ‘fish out of water’ when we join a new organization, take on a new role or travel to a new culture.
Our little dude definitely noticed when he entered the water. And that’s when the instructor went to work on me, teaching me to lead him through this wet change.
Six Swimming Lessons in How to Lead Change.
So how did the instructor teach me to lead change with the little guy?
- Clear & Consistent Messaging. First thing, I had to choose an entry routine. Using the same language & cadence , I went with “1-2-3- here we go” before lifting him into the water. The instructor pointed out, “I don’t care what you say, just do it every time.” Such messaging from leaders is vital in times of change or crisis. Choose your messaging clearly, because you must repeat it consistently to guide people through the highs and lows of a change process.
- Acclimatize Gently. Once in the water, our first activity was swooshing him across the water surface, back and forth. This helped him to feel the weight and resistance of water. When it comes to big change, throwing people into the “deep end” is cruel. Instead, easing people in gently helps to build confidence and to diffuse fears. If you can do that through a sensory or practical experience, all the better. Adults are active learners, so getting the ‘feel’ of how this change will work goes a long way to embedding it.
- Prioritize Connection. When little dude became distressed, the instructor taught me to hold him cheek to cheek while speaking. That way, he heard my voice vibrating in his head, offering the double soothing of my words and my physical connection. Soothing fear is core to leading change, and it’s best done when we make the effort to really connect with the individuals involved. That powerpoint deck won’t cut it, sorry.
- Monitor Closely. The instructor taught me to submerge myself up to my eyes. That way I gazed directly at his face, eye-level with the water surface. From there I could see if his mouth was in or out of the water. Don’t be afraid to get up close to monitor how it’s going for your people. If you don’t, they might be swallowing water and drowning before you know it. Identify the risks in your change process, and adjust your perspective to spot them.
- Project Confidence. The best advice was to relax, laugh and project calm. After all, our toddler was floating in a giant pool for the first time and probably a bit scared. Leaders’ calm creates a comforting presence. You can acknowledge that change is scary, but you must always assure your people that it will be ok. If you can’t guarantee that, stop and ask yourself if this change is a good idea at all.
- Not Pushing It. Our lesson ended 10 minutes early because little guy got tired. Going with his needs and getting out when he hit the wall reinforced that swimming is a fun. Pushing him to continue to the end would have created resistance and undermined the progress made. Remember, change is hard for many people, so don’t push them to breaking. It’s ok to slow things down and to adapt to the pace that your people can handle.
Lead Change Now Friends
We live in a changing world.
That ain’t going to change, friends.
Our ability to set strategy for a changing world is core to our success as leaders. Leading our people through those changing waters is how we lead change that lasts.
So what are you waiting for? Jump on in.
The water feels great.
