Mark P. McDonaldEnterprise change is challenging, complex and fraught with risk. It’s the subject of smart people writing great books. And when well executed it’s the subject of legend. So why am I connecting change management to Mr. Daltrey, Townsend, Entwistle, and Moon?
Simply because the WHO, despite all they have done for rock-n-roll have also done a great service to corporate executives.
It is in the song “5:15.” It’s the first four words that Daltrey sings before the guitar and piano starts
Why should I care? Why should I care?
The lyric reminds me that I have to answer that question whenever I am talking about something new, whenever we need someone to do something new.
Why should I care, reminds leaders that they need to build context – the reasons why people need to change.
Daltrey repeats the statement twice a the start of the song reminds me that you have to build context more than once.
The song then rocks out indicates that there is a lot of energy required to lead change. While the song is about Jimmy and his life in the ‘Mods’ – part of the Who’s rock opera Quadrophenia – its pace is high tempo just like a change initiative.
The song ends with the same statement ‘why should I care’, reminds me that you always have to build context, before, during and after the change.
So, it’s not scientific, and the song subject is not related to change management, but every time you ask people to change – remember, those first four words – “Why should I care?
Category: CIO Tags: Change Management
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