How do you set the anchor of change?

The ships anchor digs into the seabed to ensure the ship doesn't drift in the current. A captain knows her craft and knows what type of anchor to use in each type of seabed. If the wrong anchor is used, it will never hold fast to the bottom, and the ship will drift aimlessly into danger.

When our organizational or personal shortcomings are discovered, change is required. The magnitude of the revealed gap will influence the effort invested in change. As the captain of our ship, we assess the seabed and determine what anchor is appropriate to ensure safety. Is it the anchor of transparency, accountability, training, vulnerability or another option on board?

Loss of the holiday 10 pounds will use a different solution than if integrity with our customers has been broken. In the former, the anchor can drag a bit before digging into the sediment. The latter demands immediate and drastic action to right the ship and begin the process of rebuilding the customer's trust.

Accountability is my go to anchor for any hope of getting the change to hold fast. Continuous vulnerability during a review of metrics ensures the anchor does not slip. In the light of day, it is easy to look at the shore and notice movement. However, the starless nights hide the shore-based reference points. If the anchor doesn't hold, the dangerous reef awaits to pierce the hull.

Going Further: What methods have you tried to ensure change sticks? What is your go-to method? What option makes you most uncomfortable, why? What is a change that has held for a long time? 

Writing soundtrack: #awolnation #falloutboy

What change are you resisting?

We are creatures of habit and resist change. However, this resistance is not across the board. There are categories we embrace change on the leading edge and other areas we are dragged, kicking and screaming across the finish line. The entire change management industry seeks to help usher us through the process of adoption of the future state. 

R. Buckminster Fuller introduced the Knowledge Doubling Curve in his 1982 book, Critical Path. The rate at which human knowledge doubles continues to shrink. In 1982, the doubling was happening about every 18 months and today, we are at the 12-month mark. Whether you like it or not, the winds of change are coming faster and faster. The Internet of Things will just pour fuel on the fire. 

Becoming self-aware of your personal process of integrating change into your life will only help you as each passing day will demand a more nimble mindset.

Going Further: What came to mind when you read today's inquiry? Did something jump to the forefront of your mind? How are you going to handle this pending change? What information do you need to make a decision to remain firm for the long-haul or accept the change today? What is the impact on personal and business relationships of your decision? What is your primary sticking point and is there something that can be negotiated to move forward? What is the best and worst case of holding your position? 

How well do you wait?

The computers are down and all we can do is stand. It is a 2-hour wait to talk to an agent. Unfortunately, something else is wrong with my ticket and I can't get my boarding pass at the kiosk and requires another hour wait. The other passengers swirl around me getting boarding passes and charging to the gates, but I wait. Finally, the bags get checked, but the boarding pass I am given is for a flight that is gone. I get through security and straight into another line for to rearrange for the missed flight. Over the next 2 hours, the line inches forward. The wait pays off and an hour later the plane lifts off the tarmac. 

This day will be one for the Southwest Airlines history books. For several hours, their entire computer system was down and nationwide all flights were grounded. Thankfully, this one time, I was flying early enough that landing late, wouldn't perturb the schedule. Many others were not as fortunate and were waiting in line for a glimmer of hope to fly the friendly skies. Once in the air, reflecting back on the time standing in line, the hours seemed to have collapsed into a single moment and it was hard to believe that it was 3/4 of a workday between arrival and departure at the terminal. 

When you wait, how well do you wait? Waiting reveals much about who we are and is an opportunity for increased self-awareness. Most often, waiting is not a strength for me and I work my way to the front of the line for answers. Once I know details, the wait is easier. Like all virtues, we don't like to put them to the test. The good news is that this virtue can be learned and strengthened. Take the chance to practice patience, an opportunity is right around the corner; just be patient, you will see.

How have you grown in patience? When does waiting bring out your inner temper-tantrum? How have you become less patient? What makes the waiting worse? When did you wait well and why were you successful? What is a strategy for waiting well?

How dangerous are you?

You are exceedingly dangerous when you have nothing to hide and nothing to lose. We have nailed a few areas of life, but we have all failed to reach perfection in every domain. The quicker we recognize this reality, the quicker we will have the freedom to embrace who we really are. When we accept our failings and shortcomings and abandon the pursuit of measuring up, we are dangerous. Today, a sermon reminded me of this truth. My temptation is to try to hide from my shortcomings and failures, living life on the defense. Businessman and hustler, Gary Vaynerchuk, said; "the moment I accept all my shortcoming is the second my life goes on the offense." The ability to stand up and say, these are the areas I am weak and need support, negates the power from any accuser. Since we know our own little secrets, we can inform the accuser that it is actually worse than they know.

The pursuit of excellence is assumed, however, to believe mastery of all things is folly. This understanding thrusts freedom to be ourselves firmly in our grasp. I will never be a great mathematician or an electrical engineer, however twisting words into a story is something I can do. As a self-aware being, you can step forward boldly and challenge the status quo, knowing you have nothing to hide. This pursuit has radically changed the man I have become over the past 18 months. I have not completed this journey, but I am far different than I was. Trying to master all things and be everything to everyone has been exhausting and stunted development of my best work.

Owning your shortcomings makes you dangerous; you can speak-up at the weekly meeting, pitch you idea to the marketing executive, raise your hand in class to ask or answer a question, share your faith with your neighbor, start an online business, step into leadership in the local government or even start a blog asking questions. You won't be bulletproof, but when the trolls provide comments, you can smile and say "if you only knew". Embrace your shortcomings dangerous one.

What are your strengths? What are your shortcomings? How have you shrunk back from the limelight due to shortcomings? How would you be different if you didn't fear your shortcomings being exposed? Where do you want to make a difference? How will you be dangerous? What did I miss?