Fearless Change: Patterns for Introducing New Ideas Dr. Mary Lynn Manns University of North Carolina at Asheville

The Project Begun around 1998, Manns & Rising Patterns –A pattern is a recurring, successful technique –Each pattern has a name Acquired from people worldwide Change theories based on: Rogers, E.M. (1995). Diffusion of Innovations. New York: The Free Press. The book: Fearless Change: Patterns for Introducing New Ideas

Categories of the Patterns Roles Getting things going Events Influence strategies Handling resistance Keeping things going etc. etc. etc.

True or False: It is best for the boss to introduce changes into the organization.

Other Leaders Evangelist Dedicated Champion Local Sponsor Corporate Angel Respected Guru Connectors Early Adopters etc. etc. etc.

True or False: If you’re smart (you are!) and you know what to do (you do!), then you don’t need a lot of help from other people to introduce the new idea.

Why shouldn’t you do it alone? Ask for Help Involve Everyone Group Identity Shoulder to Cry On Guru Review etc. etc. etc.

True or False: If we can help people understand the value in the new idea, they will accept it.

Different people accept new ideas at different rates Do you know these people? This is new so it is cool. This is an interesting idea, but I want to hear more before making a decision. I want to see what other people think about the new idea before I make a decision. I’ll accept the new idea when I have to. It’s always been done this way … why do we have to introduce anything new?

Different people accept new ideas at different rates The Innovator (2.5%) The Early Adopter (13.5%) The Early Majority (34%) The Late Majority (34%) The Laggard (16%) So what?

How do you handle and make use of different people? Innovator Early Adopter Early Majority

True or False: The best way to deal with people who are against the new idea is to try to keep them out of the way.

Dealing with the skeptics Fear Less Bridge Builder Champion Skeptic Corridor Politics Whisper in the General’s Ear Trial Run etc. etc. etc.

True or False: When you wish to introduce a new idea into your organization, you need a specific plan for how you are going to do it.

No master plan … What do you do instead? Test the Waters Step by Step Time for Reflection Small Successes Sustained Momentum etc. etc. etc.

Some Other Patterns Events: Brown Bag, Study Group, Hometown Story, Big Jolt, etc. Tailor Made Piggyback Personal Touch etc. etc. etc.

Go out and lead great changes in the world!