“Change is a door that can only be opened from the inside.” - Tom Peters
So many days right now, people try to get others to open that door through arguments or explanations, data or analysis. They pound on it, frustrated that others will not let them in. As a result, they feel hopeless because others will not join them in making change happen.
After decades and decades of consulting, coaching and teaching, I continue to point out something that Charles Fishman wrote a long time ago: “You can’t change the company without changing yourself.” This is the starting place for making change happen. It is not through more arguments, data points or analytics. It is actually doing the internal work yourself.
As Mahatma Gandhi explained, “Our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being able to remake ourselves.” The first place to begin is to go inside. It begins with rebuilding and restoring one’s capacity to live the changes we seek, not just make others change.
And one step in this process is to create safe spaces for other to open their doors and to join with us. As Charles Fishman noted, “The informal network is as powerful as the formal chain of command. And you get to design your informal network.”
Starting today, do your own internal work, and build safe spaces for others to join you. Create an informal network of support so the door of change can be opened and remain open.
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