May 19, 2024
Originally recorded in the before times... Nov 2019... we're rereleasing this podcast, in anticipation of our upcoming conversation with the "Grand Poohbah of Lean Change" Jason Little and his co-author Ken Rickard about their new book "Six Big Ideas of Adaptive Organizations"
In this episode, Hosts Chris Murman, Andrew Leff, and Jay Hrcsko delve into the intricacies of transformation offices within organizations with Jason Little.
They discuss the challenges and necessities of having an internal transformation team, emphasizing the importance of empowerment, courage, and the ability to inspire behavioral change beyond mere process adjustments. The conversation highlights the need for a balanced approach that includes internal champions, external experts, and executive backing to effectively drive change. All share personal experiences and insights on how transformation teams can sometimes hinder progress by adding complexity or failing to align with organizational culture and goals.
Key Points Discussed:
1. The Role of Transformation Offices:
Jason Little shares his extensive experience, highlighting that
transformation offices should act as air traffic controllers,
guiding and supporting various change initiatives across the
organization. The discussion emphasizes the importance of these
offices in connecting different teams and ensuring that change
efforts are aligned and coherent.
2. Challenges and Solutions:
The conversation covers common pitfalls such as the
bureaucratization of transformation efforts and how it can stifle
innovation and progress. Jason suggests that transformation offices
need to maintain a balance between providing structure and allowing
for the organic growth of change initiatives.
3. Empowerment and Support:
Jay Hrcsko reflects on his experiences, stressing the need for
transformation offices to be visibly empowered by executive
leadership to effect real change. This top-down support is crucial
for the office to command respect and authority within the
organization.
4. Cultural Impact and Behavioral Change:
Andrew Leff discusses the transformation office's role in not just
changing processes but also influencing organizational culture and
behaviors. He advocates for a transformation strategy that inspires
employees to adopt new ways of working and thinking.
5. Practical Insights and Strategies:
The episode is rich with practical advice, including the importance
of setting clear expectations, the courage to challenge the status
quo, and the strategic timing of change initiatives to coincide
with organizational readiness.
Links:
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