Page 227 - How Great Leaders Build Abundant Organizations That Win
P. 227

HOW DO I RESPOND TO DISPOSABILITY AND CHANGE? (GROWTH, LEARNING, AND RESILIENCE)



        • • What were the results?
        • • What were the lessons learned?


        These answers are merged into an ever-evolving data set that
        other consultants may draw on. Accenture’s consultants live
        and work all over the world, but they still form a commu-
        nity of values because they share so much information. The
        Accenture database they draw on becomes a carrier of the
        values of the firm.
           The two principles we have laid out—generate and gener-
        alize—help leaders build elasticity in employees by increasing
        learning agility. With a broader range of skills, employees
        can better cope with change. They come to see change as
        offering opportunities for growth more than excuses for fail-
        ure. When employees learn, they have enough and to spare
        of the information, confidence, and skills not only to per-
        form but also to contribute at work.




                                Resilience


        Resilience is the ability and courage to bounce back and try
        again when faced with change. One of the greatest examples
        of resilience is U.S. president Abraham Lincoln. Born into
        poverty, Lincoln faced defeat throughout his life. He lost
        eight elections, failed at two businesses, and suffered a ner-
        vous breakdown. Here is a sketch of Lincoln’s road to the
        White House:


           1816: His parents were forced out of their home. He had to work to sup-
              port them.
           1818: His mother died.


                                   203
   222   223   224   225   226   227   228   229   230   231   232