You could argue that creating change is a big part of every leader’s job. As my friend and colleague, Kevin Eikenberry, says: “The status quo requires no leadership.” Markets change. Laws change. People change. Change happens every day in both large and small ways. Leaders must help their organizations navigate these shifts in the world around them.
Leaders must notice, think about, and drive the changes needed in their organizations. They also need to consider how they approach each change. Different situations call for different approaches. When change is needed, take a lesson from the behavior of water in both floods and streams.
The Nature of Floods: Swift and Powerful Change
Floods create rapid change that is typically associated with chaos and destruction. Torrents of water overwhelm buildings and trees, break walls, twist trunks, and leave destruction in their wake. Leaders who opt for a flood-like approach to change seek to implement transformation quickly and decisively. In a crisis or when trying to seize a new, emerging opportunity, a flood-like approach might be effective.
Benefits of Swift, Flood-like Change:
- Rapid results: Flood-like change can deliver quick results that can make it the best approach for situations demanding immediate action.
- Momentum: A swift approach can generate excitement and urgency that mobilizes a team to act decisively.
- Crisis response: In times of crisis, leaders must act swiftly to either mitigate damage or capitalize on opportunities.
Dangers of Swift, Flood-like Change:
- Disruption: Flood-like change can create chaos and disruption that leads to long-term resistance and turmoil.
- Physical and/or relationship damage: Rapid change can leave behind broken structures and people, both literally and metaphorically, that must be repaired and healed.
The Nature of Streams: Gradual and Polished Transformation
Streams, on the other hand, represent gradual and steady change. Over time, gently flowing water can shape a landscape by smoothing rough edges and leaving behind polished rocks. Leaders who adopt a stream-like approach recognize that long-lasting change often requires patience and persistence.
Benefits of Gradual, Stream-like Change:
- Sustainability: Stream-like change tends to be more sustainable and less disruptive because it allows both people and systems to adapt over time.
- Learning and growth: Gradual transformation offers opportunities for learning and growth that can foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Buy-in: Team members may find it easier to adapt to gradual change, fostering less long-term resistance and more commitment.
Dangers of Gradual, Stream-like Change:
- Slow progress: A stream-like approach may not be suitable for situations that demand swift action or quick response to external changes.
- Missed opportunities: In some cases, being too slow to change can result in missed opportunities.
Balancing Speed and Impact
Neither rapid change nor slow change is inherently good or bad. Neither approach fits every change. The best approach is highly dependent on the situation. Leaders need to weigh the trade-offs between swift and gradual change for each situation. This balance often comes down to the context and the organization's specific needs at the time.
- Context Matters: Leaders must consider the urgency of the situation and the potential consequences of a slow or rapid response. Is it a crisis requiring immediate action, or can a more gradual approach yield better long-term results?
- Personal Impetus: A personal desire to drive rapid change can be a motivating force for leaders. However, leaders may need to temper their personal desire to go quickly with a realistic assessment of the situation. Accurately evaluate its requirements and how their approach will affect the organization in the long-term.
- Flexibility: Effective leadership means being adaptable and knowing when to employ either a flood or stream approach. They must understand the importance of choosing the right method for the right moment.
Leaders are often the architects of change within their organizations. Understanding the parallel between water's behavior in floods and streams can help leaders make informed decisions when initiating change. While floods can bring rapid transformation, they often leave damage in their wake. Conversely, streams offer gradual, sustainable change, allowing for adaptation and growth. Effective leaders strike a balance between the two approaches, recognizing when to be swift and when to be patient.
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