Episode 119 - Try a 5 Week Experiment – Part 1

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Basically, you can expect three responses to your ideas for improvement on the team; you’ll have change embracers, acceptors and avoiders. Recently, on Smarter by the Minute, I did a series on how to work with the 3 types. A lot of listeners e-mailed that the individual “how to” tips were great but they wanted a faster method — faster than trying to figure out the needs of each of the three types. Well here it is. I have a simple solution that smartly accomplishes that. The idea is: Set up your change as a five-week experiment.

It works like this. Instead of imposing a change, propose a change. Ask co-workers – and your boss — to work with you on a five-week experiment. Start the “experiment” (that’s in quotes) just like any other change. Be sure to explain why the change, who will do what, how and by when. Inform everyone how it will impact people and the results you expect. The reason it works is that the change avoiders and acceptors will feel less threatened by the change, after all, this is just an experiment. The change embracers will enjoy the fun of breaking up the old routine for awhile.

During and after the experiment, be sure to solicit feedback. At the end of five weeks, if the change was for the better, keep it. If not, than go back to the old way or try another variation. A five-week experiment is a smart way to get people on board quickly.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, May 3rd, 2007 at 5:30 am and is filed under Podcast. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Episode 119 - Try a 5 Week Experiment – Part 1

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