What Works: The Fine Art of Creating Change

Creating change, whether it be in your home, community, or company, is a fine art. Consciousness, awareness of the environment you are in, and gentle communication are necessary. You can adjust your thoughts and actions to collaborate to create the change.

A true collaboration doesn’t mean you are forcing your way through the change. It means you take the time to get to know the environment. You understand what the problem is versus what you believe it is, and work together for a solution. This is a MUST LEARN for anyone who wants to improve situations outside of their control. Knowing you are the only element in the equation you can control will save you a lot of time, stress, headaches, and heart aches.
Here's how you lead yourself to create change.

Ask Questions: Ask questions with the intention of research. Understand where everyone is coming from. Say you have a child who wants a nose ring. Ask them why they like nose rings. What influenced them to consider one? Is there anything they want to do in school (acting, cheerleading, sports) that would limit their ability to have a nose ring right now? Assumption is the #1 killer of change. The minute you begin to assume and take action on those assumptions, you lose your audience. Questioning opens doors. Assumption and forcing your opinion or views on people slams them shut.

Listen: Listen more than you speak. Collect information. It’s only by listening to the answer to your question that you will gain insight. When you listen and empathize, you create connection and liking. This is a key factor in having influence.

Collaborate: Ask how you can help. Collaboration comes often through service. Think of the old days of barter. The person who had the chickens didn't drop eggs and feathers at everyone’s doorstep without asking first. It would go something like this. The iron worker needed to feed his family. So, he would go talk to the chicken farmer and they would work out a collaboration. Do you want stronger coops for your chickens? Yes? I’ll build your coops if I can get eggs to feed my family. It sounds simple. But sometimes we have to bring it back to basics like that.

Remain Open: Sometimes opportunities come that are different than what you planned. Be open to where the conversation goes. Sometimes, this requires patience. I started a coaching conversation with a potential client in Washington DC a few months ago. By the end of it we were talking about me facilitating some of her high-end programs. The opportunity of facilitation was much greater than coaching her as an executive. My point is this. If you are singularly focused on your goal or vision, you may not see something even better that is right in front of you. So, remain open.

Help When Asked: If someone is not asking for help, you should ask before helping. If the iron worker, mentioned above, busted onto the chicken farmer’s property and built them a coop they didn’t need, it would be intrusive. The same act is non-intrusive when a question comes before it. “Do you want stronger coops for your chickens?” “Yes, that would be wonderful.” OK. Now the iron worker can build the coop. It’s a very slight change within yourself. However, creating outside change, the result is much different.

What situations are you dealing with where you would like to create change? Do you need help developing the arts of questioning, listening, collaboration, and openness? I’m right here. If you want to try out a coach, I provide up to two complimentary 30-minute Motivation Monday sessions at Adams Hub for Innovation. Email grow@adamshub.com to schedule.

Happy change making! (Within yourself…)

LEARN AND GROW


Ongoing: Motivation Monday with Diane Dye Hansen at Adams Hub for Innovation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Up to two free 30-minute face to face sessions. Email grow@adamshub.com to schedule an appointment).


June 14, 2017: Entrepreneurs Assembly at Adam’s Hub for Innovation, inside The Studio. 5:30 pm, free mastermind group.

June 20, 2017: “From Idea to Action” Professional Saleswomen Network (PSN), Living the Good Life, 11:30 a.m.
September 18-20, 2017: Workshop: “Success After Abuse: Empowering Women to Assert Themselves After Leaving an Abusive Relationship” - Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence Conference, Atlantis Casino and Resort, Reno, http://www.ncedsv.org/annual-conference/ 







Coming Summer 2017: 10 Steps to Business Success Workshop – 6-week online class – Sign up here for the What Works for Inspiration newsletter to receive details when available.

Schedule a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation with Diane any time at www.whatworkscoaching.com.

What Works Coaching

Diane Dye Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, an individual and organizational coaching and consulting firm based in Carson City. She has 20 years of experience working with top corporations, growing businesses, motivated entrepreneurs, and individuals hungry for a fresh start. Diane holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing from Cal State San Bernardino. She is also a candidate for a Master’s degree in Communications Management from the University of Southern California. Her column appears every Monday, and sometimes Tuesday, in Carson Now.