Page 228 - Just Promoted A 12 Month Road Map for Success in Your New Leadership Role
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From Resistance to Renewal  213

        daily basis, they are accountable for the performance of the people doing the
        work. Accordingly, they need to be fully involved in renewal. When you think
        that you have integrated them into your plans, go one step further. Involve,
        inform, listen, recognize, and reward them frequently. If they haven’t inter-
        nalized their commitment, if they talk about “they” and “you” rather than “we”
        and “our,” expect breakdowns in the renewal process.

        Inappropriate Levels of Expectation
        Changing the way things are—the culture, policies, and procedures—takes
        time. Short-term “highs” can be experienced in training courses, retreats, work
        team meetings, and individual and group problem-solving sessions. But you
        are seeking longer-lasting results. Depending on the issues uncovered during
        the diagnostic process, it takes anywhere from 6 to 12 months and sometimes
        longer to see results that can be sustained. Set goals just out of reach but not
        out of sight. Organizations that stretch are organizations that grow.


        Anticipating the Politics of Change
        Politics are part of any organization. University professors lobby for tenure,
        special research projects and grants, and preferred teaching schedules. Exec-
        utives jockey for promotions and assignments to key task forces. Airline flight
        crews want favorite routes and departure times. Teachers and school admin-
        istrators lobby for assignments to better schools, classes, and rosters. Politics
        is the process of ensuring, in a human organization brimming with feelings,
        perceptions, and competing needs, that you get what you want (hopefully not
        at the expense of others).
           For the leader moving up, there are numerous opportunities to take advan-
        tage of the political environment. However, the road to political success is
        strewn with obstacles that can derail your career. Perceptions that change is
        imminent and the aftershocks of new leadership often heighten political
        behavior. People jockey to gain influence over resources, decisions, and per-
        ceptions. The early and continued influencing of people is of prime impor-
        tance from the announcement of your appointment.
           Earlier we talked about a new general manager who, within a few days of
        starting his new position, was totally engulfed in public and private controversy.
        His inability to manage the politics of his position inevitably led to his early exit.
           Routinely assume that political forces are at work. Never assume that being
        a solid manager or leader and a strong performer alone will result in your
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