Leadership - Lessons in Change
Recently many changes have been made in England's national rugby team structure and game, and I covered some of them in an earlier article "Leadership, Change & Communication".) However, as the story unfolds, I think there are more lessons for us about how Change works, even if you are not a fan of the game.
The management decided that the previous coach, Andy Robinson, had lost the confidence of the players & fans. The team kept losing. So lesson No 1 is, "When things aren't working, do something different." So often in life we keep repeating the behaviour and strategies that got us into the mess we are in in the first place. Einstein is often quoted as defining insanity as expecting a different result from the same behaviour, but the reason this is good advice is that most of us do it! Are you repeating yourself, when you should be changing?
Nancy Sintra
They appointed a new coach, Brian Ashton. Lesson No 2 is "Send a clear signal that Change is required" Changing the boss always sends a very dramatic signal, but it can not be doubted that the message was clear. People always assume that the status quo is acceptable, despite whatever rules that exist to the contrary, if they are not enforced. Just think of your drive into work; how many minor regulations did you infringe?
Douglas MacArthur
Ashton is famous for having a vision of how the game should be played, people know about it, because he is always talking about it. So Lesson No 3 is "Have a clear, compelling vision, and share it often"
Ashton's vision is what he calls "playing 'heads up' rugby". That simply means that he trusts the instincts of the player to do the right thing at the right time, rather than follow some prescriptive and rigid strategy. He then recruited players such as Mike Catt, who he believes understands and lives this style of play. Lesson No 4 is "Recruit the right people, and trust them to do the right thing"
He reviews his team after each game and makes changes accordingly, taking into account both injuries (circumstances) and performance. This shows him to be fixed on achieving his ultimate goal (winning) but flexible in his methods. Lesson No 5 - "Know what you should be rigid about and when flexibility pays off"
He has gone for a team that mixes youth and experience, believing that both are elements of a successful formula. However, just being experienced is not enough, you have to be able to execute in the ethos he sets, This is why he brought back Mike Catt at the venerable age of 35, but at the same time gave caps to Flood & Geraghty both of whom scored and had key roles in the win against France. So lesson No 6 is "Age is irrelevant, attitude and talent are key. However, both youth and experience have both advantages and disadvantages, so blend them wisely"
Feeling too safe does not promote risk taking, it creates inertia and tends to lead, over time, to mediocrity. Having consequences for lack of performance sharpens people's instincts, unleashes some adrenaline, and helps them, ultimately to perform. Lesson No 7 - "Be clear & honest about who is performing and who isn't, and act accordingly"
Change comes naturally from doing something differently. Successful change comes from taking the time to understand what is important, recognising and understanding the relationships that make things work, communicating with, and listening to people, getting them on board and then giving them the opportunity and resources they need to go for it!
Good Luck!