EMA-I Catch Up

Well, as you know, I was invited to be the inaugural blogger on the EMA-I website. That was last week and it is gratifying to hear that because of the blog and other activities the levels of site traffic rose significantly.

I did not want to distract from that effort so resisted the idea of simultaneously posting the blogs here, but as my week is over, and in the interests of trying to keep my work in one place I will now post the five blogs here. For those that have read them then please skip by, but it is possible that this will find another audience.

The blogs now follow separately but, sequentially.

How to build gravitas - practical advice

How frequently have you heard the criticism that someone lacks gravitas? This is something that a successful change agent needs, but can you develop it?

I have been asked this a number a times, both as a manager of a team and as the head of a programme office looking at the development of change professionals. For a long while I had few answers. Now if they had asked about planning a project or manageing risks there was a huge armoury of texts, training courses and even practitioners to emulate.

Gravitas however seems much more elusive.

This was until I, after much searching, found a resource online, thechangeboard. I have provided the link below, but here are the 10 steps they suggest.

1. Think about your natural body space

Then imagine it is twice as great, then imagine it fills the whole room or street. Hold that thought and your body language will automatically increase your presence. 

2. Talk at a measured pace

Gushing suggests gullible; steady suggests wise. Don’t raise your voice: if you have presence you don’t need to.

3. When you’ve made your point, stop talking even if there is silence

People with presence don’t worry if it takes other people time to understand them.

4. Look slightly above the people you are talking with

 As if the point that you are making is more important than the reaction of the people that are listening.

5. If you’re having difficulty gaining gravitas

Change the role that you are playing, eg, if the other people know more than you provide incisive summaries or ask challenging questions rather than compete in an area where you are unlikely to shine.

6. Set the mood

Be the source of enthusiasm if the others are sombre, or the voice of calm consideration if the rest are ebullient.

7. Don’t talk over other people

Or, if you have to, wait until there is silence before you make any serious points.

8. Give your undivided attention when others are speaking

At least to start with (unless they cut across you in which case look irritated).

9. People with presence tend to say relatively little

But what they say counts – focus on quality rather than quantity.

10. Taking a few notes suggests that you are sifting the gems

Or having brilliant thoughts (high presence) but furiously scribbling will encourage others to see you simply as the note-taker.


I have shared this with a good number of people who have found this useful. They see it as offering real ideas they can do that will give positive and visible results. 


Do let me know if it resonates and/or you find it useful Similarly add your own suggestions by commenting on this post.


Here is the link, http://www.changeboard.com/content/1675/how-to-gain-gravitas/#

First day nerves

Today is my first day as guest blogger for the Enterprise Management Association www.ema-i.org and I have to admit to a certain degree if nervous doubt.

As the first entry in the blog I feel a degree of responsibility to set the right tone and encourage readers to return as other bloggers pick up the baton.

The idea behind EMA resonates strongly with me. It has grown from a group of people who felt that the existing project associations, such as PMI in the US, stop short in their support of those charged with delivering strategic change - that there is much more to this than a documented methodology and loads of training and accreditation.

I encourage you to have a look and, if it interests you, think about getting involved.

Here is a short cut to the blog entry http://ema-i.org/Default.aspx?pageId=869482&mode=PostView&bmi=486515


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

How to survive Christmas....

...or "The Negotiation Ritual"

With the news that Christmas is the time when the most marriages breakdown and families row, I am reminded of something that may help you survive - it is the Negotiation Ritual.

This was taught to me over 20 years ago by an eminent and very experienced negotiator and trainer called Hank Calero (now dead). His contention was that any successful negotiation had to go through seven steps. While there was no requirement for a particular step to take five minutes, five days or even five years, his belief was that if anyone tried to shortcut or avoid any of the steps, then they would necessarily be pulled back to address it before there could be a successful conclusion.

I did have his book from that course but made the mistake of "lending" it to someone who never returned it and I lost track. The book is long out of print and I am not sure if I could locate it, but a friend did manage to find me an old hardback copy of "Winning the Negotiation"

The Ritual is:-

• Introductory Phase - this acquaints the participants
• General Overview - a chance to let the other party sense your initial goals and feelings without giving away too much else
• Background Music - this is where each side gives its sense of context and the route to the current negotiation, helps give perspective
• Definition of Issues - there are usually four areas, your needs, their needs, mutual needs and hidden needs; this is where the landscape of conflict and understanding of what needs addressing. It is important to uncover everything that needs addressing.
• Conflict Phase - There may have been resistance, defensiveness and hostility before, but this is where the real volleys come out and the level of conflict rises.
• Fallback and Compromise - this is where, having identified issues and established the conflicts between you, you explore the possibilities of compromise. Why else would you be negotiating?
• Agreement in Principle/Settlement - without authority one can only agree in principle, with authority one can settle, either way this is where the details of compromise(s) is described and agreed.
• Post Settlement - A hand shake and smile do not end a sucecssful negotiation. The agreed items have to be brought to life, without that the negotiation is void and one will have to return to the table again.

 If you find yourself fighting over the Christmas TV schedule, seating plan or something more serious then an awareness of this ritual could well help you navigate to a successful conclusion.

I do hope you don't need it, but will commend you to return to the subject in the new year and brush up your skills in this field - we end up using it so much so our competence is better being conscious than accidental.

Thought for today...

...even the ugliest tree looks beautiful in the snow!!!

We are once again covered by deep snow with all the debates about how Britain doesn't cope with it. Yesterday, here in Hertfordshire I would guess that something like four inches fell in two hours. As a result we aborted a trip out, taking 10 times as long on the return as it took for the outward journey.

Well we got back safe and sound and have since done our good deed by clearing and gritting the path and drive of neighbours - he has Parkinson's and needs to get out to hospital in the morning.

Then this morning we took out Yorkie (in her pink Biba-like jumper) out in the snow. It was up to her belly, but she loved it until ice balls formed in her pads. Even then her tail did not stop wagging. Along the way we bought and drank hot chocolate and coffee - my teenage daughter even came along with a smile!!

We have also had warm afternoons snuggled up with Christmas films on TV and later I will probably make some mulled wine.

Not bad for a "disastrous" weekend, but I do think the opening quote, which came from my wife in the middle of crawling traffic, is the one that will stay with me. It reminds me that it often pays to take a different look at the things you have always seen, they might delight and surprise you.

Happy Christmas and season's greeting to one and all.

I hope you enjoy the Christmas card below - it is just a bit of fun - let it load and then check the other pages!

Ian.

A New Year Honour!

I feel honoured to have been invited as the first guest blogger on the developing Enterprise Management Association - International ( EMA-I ) site in the new year. The association is an attempt to support and develop the skills and tools for managing strategic change. It for the "go to" people, the "usual suspects" that every company has and uses when it is wanting to shape and deliver large, strategic change and or deal with major issues.

As such it is looking to operate above the more mechanical aspects of project management, by providing real and practical support for the governance of change in its widest sense. It embraces the full range of skills (soft and hard) required to help individuals and organizations improve their ability to execute strategy and improve operational performance by effectively managing change as a key to business success.

Their framework is illustrated below:-

So now my challenge is to draft three or four pieces ready for the beginning of January - no trouble (I hope).

I will post the pieces back here after their launch on EMA-I's website, but maybe you will be interested in looking there directly and maybe even getting imvolved and voluntering.