…following up on the thought post Leaders, Creative Confusion & Deaf Ears

Excerpts from a note to a friend...

We are dealing with that scary concept called "change". 

We are dealing with overlapping words and a variety of predispositions and personal filters. 

The important thing is to make sure people are talking about the same things/concepts - regardless of the specific words we use. I've formed the habit of discussing and getting buy-in on the definitions before trying to influence the thoughts and actions. For example - at www.rickbaker.ca here is a Category called something like "Spirited Definitions". I use that section to capture the thoughts I have written about words that I have found to be prone to personal interpretation (and cliche application).

We need to take this slow...adding little pieces of education over time. Otherwise, we turn people off. I've formed the habit of delivering the education in concise interactive workshops...with a little bit of fun...learning lunches, for example. This increases buy-in, however, some people will never get comfortable. So, the little workshops help separate those who are ready, willing and able from those who are not (including those who most likely never will be.) 

Curiosity/Ideation/Creativity/Innovation/Invention can be self-forced...think of Edison. But, aside from masters like Henry Ford, few of us are able to force these things on other people. 

When it comes to deviations from enshrined processes like ISO, I'd recommend an up-front recognition of who's gonna buy in and who ain't...