To make big things happen, people need to collaborate better across functions. Collaboration is imbedded in the way we design strategies, tools and processes.
We use a simple mental model for how to successfully implement any change: the Rider, the Elephant and the Path.
MIND: DIRECT THE RIDER
Give crystal clear directions – this helps the rational part of a humans to understand where to go in the future. What often looks like resistance from the rational part is frequently just a lack of clarity. Often it helps to simplify the steps you want people to take.
EMOTIONS: MOTIVATE THE ELEPHANT
The only way for a change to last is to have an emotional drive. That’s why people’s emotional side needs to be engaged and they must believe they are competent enough to make the change. By engaging the team on an emotional level, the fuel is generated – this is needed for stamina and for going through the stress of change.
CONTEXT: SHAPE THE PATH
What many times looks like a people problem is actually a situation problem. The situation, including the context of the situation, is called the path. Often, it is much more effective to tweak the context than to continue trying to educate people.