If you only care for the forest, you may lose your trees; If you only care for your trees, you may not have a beautiful forest. So it needs a balancing act: Keep your eyes on the forest while your heart with the trees. Then, the outcome will be a beautiful forest. - Saurabha Rath
A thought:
Transformation is a journey. Although we want to think that we have every information to define the
road for the transformation journey, reality teaches us a different and vital lesson. As the
organization starts to transform, every individual/team perceives and experiences the change
differently. As a result, the entire organization develops a collective experience (sum of all
individual and team experiences - good and bad). This collective experience constantly shapes the
road (for transformation journey). Therefore, the transformation team must hear, feel and
internalize the voices stemming from the organization's collective experience. Then, the
transformation team should adapt and make necessary changes and create the path accordingly. Of
course, there might be some sharp turns, twists, delays, etc. But the destination (goal) should not
change. However, the team may choose a way that works best in their context and the road less(or
never) traveled before. As the organization progresses on its journey, the entire team eventually
would realize a profound point. The path they followed so far never existed, and it just gets
established by the experience of the journey every step of the way.
An analogy:
Let's imagine for a moment; I want to travel from Point A to Point B. I probably have many tools
that can clearly show me the road, driving directions, any road closure, etc. It will also provide
dynamic instructions on when to make a turn, to slow down, etc. But, is this tool capable enough to
talk to me about the sky, mountains, lakes, animals grazing in the countryside, etc. Probably not.
The tools will neither empathize with me nor do a pulse check on my feelings, emotions, etc. The
tools have answers to everything about the road but nothing about the journey (the experience).
So, these tools will never reflect on our journey experiences, and therefore, they will continue to lead us on the same predefined path. Our journey experience gets worse as the tools do not hear our voices. Then, we lose interest and no longer have fun on the journey. Finally, we reach the destination traveling on the pre-established road.
Points to Ponder:
Have we arrived, really, or do we wonder what just happened? How do we feel when we arrived at the
destination? Do we think that we accomplished something profound? Or do we feel that we just
completed some checklist of items that reflect surface-level changes?
Would there be a different outcome (at a mindset level) if we would have waited at a lakeside on our
way? What if we ignore the road closure instruction (due to accidents) and instead go and help the
people there? Would it reinforce our guiding principles of "empathy, compassion, etc." to everyone?
Why did we not wait for some time and enjoy the natural beauty on the way instead of rushing? Would
that not have helped me get inspired to support the journey with body, mind, and spirit? Does every
part of the journey have to have a physical outcome? Can't there be an outcome such as "enhanced
trust" as some part of the journey? ......
In Conclusion:
The journey experience is a highly critical element of a successful transformation. Understanding
the feeling and enriching the experience helps organizations integrate high-value points to the path
to transformation. When the team builds the road dynamically reflecting on the journey experience,
every individual stays on the course and brings their best.
Happy Coaching!