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Change Management: the need to adapt quickly

16/05/2019
We imagine change as if it were a currency: on one hand, the need to understand its meaning, direction and variables; on the other, the need to determine and manage it. A currency which is able to 'buy' an improvement in terms of performance, an adaptation to a changed market situation, a re-alignment with respect to the progress of the competitors. In short, change is a means, not an end, to gain a brighter future.In the famous series 'Game of Thrones', the role of Sansa Stark evolves over time, changing her initial role and subsequently into something else.Some episodes were very representing of such:
  • following the appointment of her father as the First Knight, Sansa lacked lucidity in reading the context, showing on one hand a decent ability to adapt, almost opportunistically, and equally a spirit of rebellion towards her family.
  • despite her trust being seriously betrayed by her future husband (who does justice to her father), Sansa's behavior does not change and puts up with 'expensive compromises'.
Sansa confuses "adaptation vs resignation" and starting from a lacklustre reading the situation, ends up making inadequate analysis of her own needs - leading her to accept solutions that are poorly considered which are neither an improvement from her current state, nor advantageous.The character evolves and from the other episodes, the representation continued:
  • In her second marriage (a persecuting maniac this time round), she ends up reliving a situation similar to the previous but that was where her new life begins. Sansa begins to have a clearer vision of her life, her role and her needs.
  • She identifies a benign figure who was to become a great support and destiny changer; and began managing facts and events in her life proactively.
  • Her decision to involve an allied army, asking for supportin a subsequent battle - proves to be an important decision. It is the result of an improved ability to analyse change, greater convictionin own's own means and greater determinationin pursuing one's own ideas.
Sansa has grown up and is ready to play a more decisive role in her life, beginning to have influence in the lives of others. She has experienced many changes, suffered them, understood them, adapted and found her own form: "After a thousand ups and downs, she manages to carve out a role of primary importance and became a very influential and equally respected figure."Lucidity reading > Adaptability > Needs analysis > Clear vision of role > Belief in themself > Proactive attitude > Change analysis > Determination > Capacity to be influential.The above was a very interesting path; on one hand complete and complex, on the other hand consequential due to reacting disproportionately which raised the cost of change. Sansa's progress is slow and therefore costed her many resources, even endangering her life several times.In this example, change is not a phase but rather the most recurring context. This is why each person is required to be able to go through several phases in a very limited period of time, while reiterating their lives several times along the same path.
Missed the first article on the 'Throne of Skills' series? Head to the introductory chapter here.To find out more about Change Management, or the course "Change Management: from the conception of the project to Leadership in Change", contact us today!