Sound and Current Data: #3 of Eight Disciplines for Planned Change
An efficient and successful change process needs good information for effective planning and decision-making. Such a principle, though obvious, is sorely needed as a reminder against mistaking our assumptions for accurate information. Our needs for being “right,” being seen as “smart,“ for not wanting to rock the boat or upset the boss often overwhelm our need for sound and current data. Accordingly, many change efforts suffer from insufficient and inaccurate information while others fall prey to power struggles having to do with whose information is right and whose is wrong. A related pitfall occurs when the need for conformity inhibits needed information from coming to the surface.
An environment of openness, straight-talk, truth, and honesty can be built from effective conflict management and team-building processes. In these ways a safe environment can be created which is the only environment in which sound and current data can openly exist.
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Michael – I like your post. Even though I’m not a Trekkie, I do know Data. And I think too many organizational changes act as if Data were their patron saint. Just give people information, and if they still don’t go along, pile on even more data. You offer a good corrective to that bias toward data. Thanks. – Rick
Hey Rick — I think many organizations are very confused about data. They speak as if “hard data” was God, yet the act on impulse and emotionality just like the human beings that run them.
[...] Michael BroomHey Rick — I think many organizations are very confused about data. They speak as if "hard data" was God, yet Sound and Current Data: #3 of Eight Disciplines for Planned Change [...]