1. After the WAS*IS Ecstasy, the Laundry… Susanne C. Moser, Ph.D. Institute for the Study of Society and Environment NCAR(smoser@ucar.edu) WAS*IS Workshop · Boulder, CO · July 20, 2007

2. The “Going Home Talk” The ecstasy: Where are you at?The ecstasy: Where are you at? … and the laundry:… and the laundry: –Where is the rest of the world? –Likely challenges of practicing WAS*IS at home Some perspectives on changeSome perspectives on change Strategies for next Monday… and for the long haulStrategies for next Monday… and for the long haul

3. After the WAS*IS Ecstasy… Where are you?Where are you? –Excitement about what you learned and gained New perspectives and knowledge (theory, concepts)New perspectives and knowledge (theory, concepts) New tools (methods, approaches, skills)New tools (methods, approaches, skills) New languageNew language –New friends and colleagues –New or renewed commitment to WAS*IS –Motivation and desire to do things differently –A little exhausted, a little worried maybe?

4. … the WAS*IS Laundry When you get back home, back to workWhen you get back home, back to work –They weren’t here! –They did the “laundry” while you were gone (the kids, dishes, garbage … the meetings, phone calls, never-ending to-do lists … the way we’ve always done it) –Most of your fellow WAS*IS’ers aren’t down the hall (but some may be) –The rest of the world probably isn’t waiting to change its habits thinking, behavior, incentives, job descriptions, institutions… still the samethinking, behavior, incentives, job descriptions, institutions… still the same

5. … the WAS*IS Laundry (cont.) In a week, a month from now…In a week, a month from now… –You’re alone –Isolated geographically, intellectually, institutionally –Limited resources –Never enough time –Wishing for greater depth or experience in knowledge, methods, communication skills ► INTERDISCIPLINARY WORK IS MUCH HARDER THAN YOU THOUGHT IT IS

6. So… You changed - You changed - You want to change something else - You want to change something else - What you want to change may well resist. What you want to change may well resist. This is all NORMAL! This is all NORMAL! But how to deal with “normal”???? But how to deal with “normal”????

7. Becoming a Master Interdisciplinarian From Directed Learner to Independent Performer Independent Performer Expert Expert Leader Leader Visionary Visionary

8. The Cycle of Change: Motivation and Resistance The Cycle of Change: Motivation and Resistance Source: Lessons for Living (2006)

9. Creating Change The two tasks of change agents:The two tasks of change agents: (1) Elevate motivation to change & (2) Lower resistance/barriers to change Implications:Implications: -Identify a vision and clear goals -Strategically assess -leverage points -windows of opportunity -key players -specific needs/resources -likely barriers -Take a realistic, but long-term view Source: Moser & Dilling, 2007. Creating a Climate for Change: Communicating Climate Change and Facilitating Social Change. Cambridge University Press. See: http://www.isse.ucar.edu/communication/book/http://www.isse.ucar.edu/communication/book/

10. Another Perspective on Change Competence/ability Motivation & Confidence Source: K. Blanchard & Co., Situational Leadership, 2003 low high low

11. Creating Change (cont.) Source: http://www.epmbook.com/orgchange.htm (2006)http://www.epmbook.com/orgchange.htm Response to change Why change projects fail

12. First-Order Strategies Before you say anything else: Check in on “the laundry,” thank them for doing it, do some yourself…Before you say anything else: Check in on “the laundry,” thank them for doing it, do some yourself… Identify or create a “receptive moment”Identify or create a “receptive moment” Who are you talking to?Who are you talking to? –Tell them (only) what they need to know –Speak in their language –Help them see how what you bring will help them Offer something to themOffer something to them Only then ask for what you need to implement the changeOnly then ask for what you need to implement the change Offer to check in regularly, report backOffer to check in regularly, report back Do this with everyone who needs to be involved in the changeDo this with everyone who needs to be involved in the change

13. Support for Change Agents Build your local team (because you can’t do it alone and not all at once)Build your local team (because you can’t do it alone and not all at once) –Skills, support, sharing the work, etc. –Establish clear rules, timeline, authority, responsibility, accountability –Communicate more than you think is needed Plant the seeds, let it become everyone’s gardenPlant the seeds, let it become everyone’s garden Continue to build skillsContinue to build skills –Yours –Everyone else’s Make use of WAS*IS connections, resources, discussion listMake use of WAS*IS connections, resources, discussion list –Maybe a “buddy system,” mentoring, …

14. Others need what you need… … and then some Opportunity, challenges Mentoring Prioritization Appreciation Very specific skill buildg Time off/break Reassurance Recognition/rewards Check-in on satisfaction Connection New challenge, if wanted Freedom Don’t forget to communicate Confidence building Big picture Benchmarks, feedback Manageable goals Coaching Specific skills, training Reassurance Clear instructions Guidance, training Frequent communication Specifics, explanation Boundaries (w/out undermining Motivation) Competence/ability Motivation & Confidence Source: K. Blanchard & Co., Situational Leadership, 2003 low high low Directing Coaching Delegating Supporting

15. What Else? – Your Own Ideas be aware of the resistors; work around thembe aware of the resistors; work around them include them, make them part of the process, don’t alienate them; communicate a lot, meet face to face, ask them about their worriesinclude them, make them part of the process, don’t alienate them; communicate a lot, meet face to face, ask them about their worries Identify the “believers”, those who support youIdentify the “believers”, those who support you Think of this as “culture change”, needs to be organic, people will respect that you are sincereThink of this as “culture change”, needs to be organic, people will respect that you are sincere Don’t step on people’s toes; try to avoid “going behind people’s backs”Don’t step on people’s toes; try to avoid “going behind people’s backs” Understand the chain of command; who is critical to involve in the changeUnderstand the chain of command; who is critical to involve in the change Be aware of your own cynicism, easy to get disillusioned; need something to bring you back upBe aware of your own cynicism, easy to get disillusioned; need something to bring you back up

16. More good ideas Challenge your own internal barriers, thoughtsChallenge your own internal barriers, thoughts Don’t forget to step back and reflect on what’s going on, why you’re doing it, what strategies will helpDon’t forget to step back and reflect on what’s going on, why you’re doing it, what strategies will help Also shut up and listenAlso shut up and listen Get champions on your team (people who can bring onboard others)Get champions on your team (people who can bring onboard others) Don’t forget freindship as a motivating factorDon’t forget freindship as a motivating factor Give people credit for when they have made the change; acknowledge effort and success; THANK YOU goes a LONG way!Give people credit for when they have made the change; acknowledge effort and success; THANK YOU goes a LONG way! Recognize that you yourself may need to changeRecognize that you yourself may need to change Be your own (gentle) critic; beware of your own flawed thinkingBe your own (gentle) critic; beware of your own flawed thinking You are learner and expert at once, sometimes all in one dayYou are learner and expert at once, sometimes all in one day When is it right to toot your own horn, when is it just important to see that the change happensWhen is it right to toot your own horn, when is it just important to see that the change happens

17. Bread for the Journey … If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results. Jack Dixon Jack Dixon Good luck and stay in touch!