You’ve seen the manager who cannot and will not change. That person who is stuck in a way of doing things – so stuck that reality is passing them by. You know what that looks like. And you don’t want to be that person, whether you are a manager, a leader, or a frontline fundraiser.

The fact is that change is inevitable. It’s happening all around you at a pace that is staggering. You know it is. So, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to be the leader that creates a culture of learning and adaptability, or are you going to be one of those people who’s just stuck? I think you want to change, just like I do. So, how do you develop a mindset of change?

First, you simply need to acknowledge that change is happening.

I have to do that every day. There is a boatload of stuff just shifting right under my feet, and it’s not a pleasant thing to experience if you are even just slightly self-aware. And part of being honest and authentic about this reality is being able to admit where you need guidance.

Take social media. I’m an older guy. I know, that’s a bummer. But it’s true. And while I’m pretty computer and tech savvy, I really am not in touch with all the new social media programs that are out there. Then there are the productivity tools – apps and programs that I have never heard of but that it seems everyone around me is using.

All of this can be unsettling. But I’ve determined that I must shift, change, and adapt, as best I can, in order to embrace change.

So, here’s what I’ve learned about creating a culture of learning and adaptability:

1. Acknowledge and accept that change is happening and that you are going to adapt to it.
2. Understand the types of opportunities that could arise from the change. This is important. And it may be hard to discern. Which is why, on this point, I always take counsel – to secure the point of view of others, asking them what they think those opportunities might be.
3. Then, assess and understand WHEN to act on the change that is needed. It’s one thing to sit around and think about change and opportunities presented by that change, etc. It’s another to move to action and DO something about it. I’ve worked with organizations whose leaders KNOW they must change – but then they don’t take the actions necessary to make that change. Pretty sad.

The three points above are about adopting a mindset of change. Push yourself to do this. It’s important for your personal growth AND it’s important for your organization. Change will happen whether you like it or not. And you and your organization will decay into the past if you don’t change. Don’t let that happen.

In the next blog, I’m going to give you some practical steps to take to create a culture of learning and adaptability. You’ll want to read it as a follow-up to this blog, so you know where to go once you’ve decided to make some changes.

Richard