the metaphors of motivating change
"buy in", "get on board", "commit"
"selling", "signing up", "winning over"
Such interesting metaphors we use to describe what we want employees to do in response to a proposed organizational change, and what we as change agents need to do to get them to cooperate.
Yet one metaphor is even more pernicious than all the others, and potentially, much more damaging. "Overcoming resistance".
I'm going to leave you with that teaser, and come back to these ideas in about 10 days, when my grading is finished, my summer research projects are out for review in the human subjects committee or the grant approval committees, and I have had some time to recharge by visiting my sister, brother-in-law, and niece. The quiet phase should end around May 15.
In the meantime, please explore my other blog entries, and leave me a comment or two if you'd like? I will look forward to hearing from you.
Here are some old, but valuable, thoughts on organizational change and transformative cooperation:
- My Research Focus
- Voluntary Collaborations on the Web
- Speaking of Glacial Change
- What is it about College that Helps Students Learn?
- Is McDonalds socially responsible, or is it marketing greenwash?
Enjoy!
Comments
And don't forget that the people we are asking to change are called "targets." Eeep!