[Dennis Kalma]

So what is the response when bad news gets out? Is there yelling and screaming, admirals gettting their knickers in a knot, much humiliation..public floggings with praise for non-participants?

Changing culture is hard, because leadership needs to change their behaviour....which can be hard for old farts. There needs to be a determined effort to behave differently, when bad news comes along....how do they react. It has to change from "Awww crap!" to more of "Hey, thanks....what do you think we ought to do about it?".

Management always wants the silver cannon shell by which they can solve their problem, usually with answers that do not involve any change on their part....I mean after all, their current behaviour has gotten them to their current demi-god state hasn't it?

A few points that I have learned very painfully.

1. Organizational change is personal change for each and every person in the organization - management, staff , floor cleaners you name it...you can't just change one level
2. People will change when 4 conditions are satisfied:

a. They are dissatisfied with the status quo
b. They come to understand a future state that they believe to be better
c. They are led to tangible next steps to achieve the future state
d. There is an answer to "What's in it for me if I go through this traumatic change thing"

3. Management constancy is the most critical aspect. If it changes too frequently or one behaves in a markedly different manner than another, then the division up top will give permission to the lower level's to not change..."they don't have their act together", "well I heard that so and so has another point of view, and he is a large cheese"

4. Organizations will respond by early adopters trying things out. If they are fried over an open fire for behaving as the organization SAYS they want every one to behave, the next guy sure as heck won't trying anything.

5. The informal reward system is critical....how do you really get promoted around here, pay attention to the old boys club.....


.....I could go on forever on this....

Dennis