COVID-19 and online-meetings have shifted many people away from their people-focus and more towards task-orientation. Now is a good time to reconsider how teams and individuals influence each other, how to build or rebuild closer stakeholder relationships.
Putting task before people has never worked very sustainably for long. It creates very transactional relationships. As leaders in sustainability and changemakers, you are aiming for transformation. Transformation needs something different.
Transformation starts with deep conversations, empathy and understanding. This needs time and focus. With limited time available and the lack of the random office conversation, many people don’t take the time to explore what they have in common with their stakeholders. Often, this shift happened slowly and unconsciously. A big challenge in terms of achieving results.
You can only influence and change what you are aware of and what you understand.
Influencing where it matters most, starts with an intentional conversation – coming together in the right context and exploring common ground. What motivates the other person, what are their capabilities and their current capacity to work with you. Personal check-ins have to be put back onto the agenda – of all meetings.
Besides this renewed focus on people, we also need to increase our awareness of the big picture – all the systems that are the context in which people operate. Change and transformation is often supported or hindered by external factors. It’s important to recognise these. This is complex work and best done with a diverse group of people.
System-thinking and system-sensing are next level leadership skills.
There are a few tools and processes that can provide you more insights on where and how to influence. I’m using system maps, context-sensing and mindset-checks with my clients. If this sounds interesting to you, reply to this email and we can start a conversation.
Naturally yours,
Ingrid