The only permanent thing in life is change. Change is inevitable and we must be ready to embrace it. When you observe changes in weather patterns, they move from Spring to Summer, then Autumn and Winter and the cycle repeats. What you wear in summer when the sun is all out is not appropriate for winter. In the same way, to grow your organisation, change is inevitable. What worked yesterday now becomes obsolete. A better and efficient solution has to be employed.
Change is never easy. Human beings would rather maintain status quo than take the risk to change. You must be cautious of the status quo pitfall because the moment you stop growing, you start dying! When a banana fruit reaches it mature size, it stops growing. The process of death begins. It turns yellow as it ripens and shortly changes to brown as it begins to rot. What are some things that you can do to embrace change?
Count the cost
If you want to go on holiday, you first choose a destination. Is it to an Island, a mountain, a beach or a big city? You then determine the most efficient means to get there - by road, air or water. But, you do not stop there. You decide how many days you will spend at your chosen destination and select a hotel. You go a step further to find out the hotel's boarding rates. Finally you compute how much it will cost you for the trip. You consider all these factors and determine whether you can afford it before making the bookings.
A leader must count the cost of change in his organisation. Would you need a bigger office? Do you need to hire experts? Do you need a different business model? What is the cost? The cost for change could mean severing certain business relationships. You may have to let go of some workers. Can you afford the cost of this change?
Communicate the Picture
A leader must prepare his team for change. You must sell your vision to your followers. They must see the need for change and embrace it. How you communicate the vision will determine the success of the change process. You need to articulate the role that each person will play in the new business model. The leader sees the big picture, but the harder task is interpreting the picture to his followers. They must understand it and believe in it for a successful changeover.
Delegate authority
You began your business playing multiple roles. You were the CEO, marketing director, sales director, finance director, procurement manager and even the company driver! As your growth vision begins to take shape, you realise the need for devolution of power. You have to change the business model. You reorganise your company's structure and hire competent individuals to lead the departments and take over your multiple roles. The change starts with you. Can you give up control to experts? Change in the leader’s mindset must take shape to pave way for change in the entire organisation.
Take action
Everything rises and falls with leadership. When all the plans are laid down and all systems are set for the change, it is time to act. It's time for you to lead your people into the unknown and your greatest enemy is fear. It may have looked easy on paper, but the proof of your desire for change is your pursuit. How passionate are you to change into your new form? Do you believe in the change? Your passion will drive your pursuit especially when things don't go as you had planned. Is your team agile and persevering enough to get you out of the murky waters of change?
Today, I give you the challenge of viewing the bigger picture of the future of our nation Kenya. You have a part to play in the new dispensation of a devolved government - a season of change in the country's leadership model. The political climate in our nation affects your organisation's future. In the same way you would take responsibility over change in your organisation, take responsibility over the future of your nation.
“Tumeijenga hii nchi yetu kwa miaka mingi. Kwanini tuiharibu in one day?” (We've built this country for many years. Why should we destroy it in one day?). These were words of a General Service Unit (GSU) officer to youth, following the 2007 elections. He took responsibility over his nation and had the courage to use his position to influence the youth not to resort to violence. You are a leader in your space - your family, your community, your team, department or even company. You must take responsibility over your country and choose to positively influence the actions of those around you. Be a Kenyan for PEACE in Kenya.
