Effective Leadership in times of Change

Leadership can be a frustrating task.  Specifically, it can be frustrating to lead an organization that existed when you took the leadership helm.  Existing organizations have their own traditions, their own history, and an established way of doing things.

Often, as the leader, you will recognize that for an organization to move forward there are things that will need to change.  These things can cover an array of areas.  Changes can involve the organizations approach to its mission, the way decisions are made, or the way information flows.  You might also find that there needs to be changes made in what is expected of staff and volunteers.

In my years of leadership I have often been frustrated by these things.  You see what needs to change, but you are not sure how to change it.  You know that the organization could be much more effective than it is, but it seems the members that make up that organization are more in love with the method than the mission.  At times, these things can be overwhelming.  I have learned to break needed changes down into three categories:

1.  Changes that need made and I can do it NOW.

When beginning in a new role there will always be simple changes that can be made immediately that will not cost you a lot of leadership chips.  These changes are not only good for the organization but they also gain the leader some credibility.  These changes help the organization get some small wins right from the beginning and help build momentum for changes that are coming later.

2.  Changes that need made but they will take TIME.

Any leader of a new organization will notice things that need changed, but they are things that he or she dare not touch right now.  These changes often focus on some area that has become part of the “culture” of the organization.  The leader needs to give these changes time.  As credibility is gained, and as people grow to trust the leader, then these things can be made.

3.  Changes that need made but there is NOTHING I can do about it.

This is likely the most frustrating category…those changes that need to be made but would be a death nail in the coffin of one’s leadership.  These are things that the leader might want to change but simply knows better.  A word of warning here, don’t be too quick to just throw all difficult issues into this category.  A leader must have courage.  A leader must make tough decisions.  A leader must be willing to go where others are not.  I would say that in any leadership positions there would not be more than one or two things that go into this category.

As a leader, be bold.  Be willing to show courage when others are not.  However, be fair to yourself.  Understand that there are some things that simply are not going to happen right now.  If there is a change that needs made but now is not the time, then don’t beat yourself up or think less of your own leadership.  There is a great deal to be said for wise, consistent, intentional leadership.