What advice could a billionaire offer to us as change practitioners? In fact, the counsel that Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater (hedge fund), offers in this article is not specific to us; however, it contains an important message for us to heed… Be radically open-minded.
How does this relate to practicing our craft?
- Stay alert. Early in a career, it is easier to stay focused and to be present. You are learning a new methodology; you are experiencing new challenges; you are feeling the rush of new discoveries. After a while, however, it is easy to fall into a routine. You’ve done this before, many times. You fail to see the cues that say things have shifted. While the principles that underlie your approach are still sound, top-down sponsorship may no longer carry the authority it once did; resistance may be voiced, but in different ways than you are used to looking for. Stay alert.
- Learn, learn, learn. The depth and breadth of knowledge regarding change continues to grow exponentially. Much of this growth is available to you through conferences, workshops, and publications. Fields related to Organizational Change Management—Organizational Development, Project Management, Business Relationship Management, and others—are also adding to our wisdom. So are numerous other fields including coaching, organizational network analysis, and neuroscience. Integrate their knowledge into your practice as well. Learn, learn, learn.
- Make new friends. We tend to hang out with people a lot like us. Professionally, our colleagues may help us grow around the edges; it is unlikely that they challenge us to the very roots of our thinking. Yet if we are to practice at the top of our craft, this is what is necessary. Make new friends.
While our profession continues to take root, the world around us continues to change at an ever-increasing pace. The only way we can catch up, and keep up, is to be radically open-minded.
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About the Author: Brian Gorman
Brian Gorman is the Managing Editor of Change Management Review™. In this capacity he regularly curates articles of importance to our readership; contributes original writing; hosts podcasts; and works with guest authors.
For more than five decades Brian has been engaged in—and a student of—change at the personal, organizational, and societal levels. During this time, he has worked with both individuals and organizations (ranging from solo practitioners to Fortune 100 businesses), guiding them through a wide array of challenges. Decades of experience have given him a deep appreciation of the universal patterns that underlie successfully navigating even the most difficult changes.
In addition to his work as our Managing Editor, Brian is a transformation coach, supporting both individual and organizational change. Brian is committed to passing his “lessons learned” on to others, so that their change journeys can advance more smoothly. He is a frequent workshop facilitator and public speaker. Brian is the author of “The Hero and the Sherpa,” a chapter in the online Handbook of Personal and Organizational Transformation (Springer Publishing; Judi Neal, Editor). He also has an extensive library of blog posts, articles, and videos on the change journey, including “The Ten Most Important Lessons I Have Learned Over 50 Years of Engaging Change.”
Mr. Gorman’s formal education includes a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Syracuse University, an MA in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas, San Antonio and an MA in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma.
Brian is an International Coach Federation (ICF) certified coach, and is an active member in the New York City chapter. Brian is also a member of the Forbes Coaches Council and the Gay Coaches Alliance.
Related Posts
About the Author: Brian Gorman
Brian Gorman is the Managing Editor of Change Management Review™. In this capacity he regularly curates articles of importance to our readership; contributes original writing; hosts podcasts; and works with guest authors.
For more than five decades Brian has been engaged in—and a student of—change at the personal, organizational, and societal levels. During this time, he has worked with both individuals and organizations (ranging from solo practitioners to Fortune 100 businesses), guiding them through a wide array of challenges. Decades of experience have given him a deep appreciation of the universal patterns that underlie successfully navigating even the most difficult changes.
In addition to his work as our Managing Editor, Brian is a transformation coach, supporting both individual and organizational change. Brian is committed to passing his “lessons learned” on to others, so that their change journeys can advance more smoothly. He is a frequent workshop facilitator and public speaker. Brian is the author of “The Hero and the Sherpa,” a chapter in the online Handbook of Personal and Organizational Transformation (Springer Publishing; Judi Neal, Editor). He also has an extensive library of blog posts, articles, and videos on the change journey, including “The Ten Most Important Lessons I Have Learned Over 50 Years of Engaging Change.”
Mr. Gorman’s formal education includes a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Syracuse University, an MA in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas, San Antonio and an MA in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma.
Brian is an International Coach Federation (ICF) certified coach, and is an active member in the New York City chapter. Brian is also a member of the Forbes Coaches Council and the Gay Coaches Alliance.
