Behaviors Don't Change Overnight . . . . At Least Not Usually

I was starkly reminded recently that behaviors don't generally change overnight.  I was reminded of this as a result of my own self-imposed goal of blogging every day for 365 days.  It's been about 25 days now and although it is beginning to become a habit of sorts, I still struggle every single day with what to write.  In addition, we've had amazing weather for the past week so you can imagine all the other things outdoors that are vying for my attention.  

The real question here is what does any of this have to do with you or with leadership?

Well, first off, I think of the changes you aspire to make as a leader and how difficult some of those changes will be.  Some of you will give up and move on to something else.  Actually, most of you will probably do that (sorry, don't mean to be depressing but it is the reality).  Some of you will read something that will start a seed of thought in your mind but you won't act on it yet.  It will sit there, maybe even lie dormant for awhile until you hear something else that reinforces it and makes you want to take action.  And some of you will soak the information up like a sponge and implement diligently and immediately.  

 

The other way this affects you is the gentle reminder that your employees will likely not change overnight either.  After you have a conversation or implement something different you can't expect them to hear you and do a 360 the next day.  Barring some near death experience people just don't generally change drastically.  Consider this a process, something that will take time.  Yes, it will require patience.  But some day you will look at an employee that you had previously given up hope on and realize they have made significant career growing changes and you had something to do with that.  

So, I'll end this post with a reminder to you that all change takes repetition and time.  In order for you to make changes, you have to stick to it even when you don't feel like.  Even when it feels like it takes too much time and effort or you can't see an immediate result, stick to it.  It will pay off, eventually, I practically guarantee it.  

Mari