#269: Manage history, not change

We have been taught that leadership often involves managing change to create the desired behavior. But sometimes, especially during times of stress and uncertainty, that just doesn’t work too well. Here’s why.

During times of stress and uncertainty we look for comfort. And where do we find comfort? In what we already know and understand. In our past and in our history.

At work this translates into doing the things that we’ve always done, the things we’re good at. It’s called our comfort zone for a reason. It’s where we zone out stress and uncertainty.

Leaders who know this don’t manage change. They manage history. They help us interpret the past in a way that triggers appropriate behavior today.

Remember, history’s purpose is to get you where you are now. But depending on how you see it, history can hold you where you were.

It’s time to manage your history or be ignored by the future.


I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.com

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA