Problem:
A former colleague calls you and he sounds very frustrated. Once again, senior leadership has proclaimed itself to be the followers of the latest management fad - he thinks this time it's Most Effective Habits of Excellent Leaders - and expects the entire organization to immediately shift direction.
You shake your head. You know that organizations in today's global marketplace are faced with a constant need to understand the forces affecting them and adapt accordingly. In other words, companies must be able to change at all levels (individual, group and the organization, itself). On the other hand, companies such as your former employer have been accused of reacting to management fads and gurus, with no regard to the company's culture or people's need to adapt to change at their own pace.
Reflect on this paradox: organizations need to adapt to innovative techniques while avoiding the pitfall of adopting unproven methods and/or fads that may not fit with the culture of the organizations.
What would you say to your former colleague?
Are these two forces mutually exclusive, or do you perceive a balance that can be struck between change and stability?