Our Process
Causing and sustaining change is a process with four critical steps. We work with companies to help them understand and maximize the effectiveness of each step. In some cases, this means being the outside expert, brought in to be the ones to implement solutions you’ve created in-house. In some cases, we work with clients to develop solutions they will implement themselves. We have repeated the steps, in whole or in part, hundreds of times. Let our experts help you create a strategic plan and process that will produce the results you want.
Below we’ve outlined this process in detail. We hope you’ll find this information useful. As every situation is unique, this document is designed to be a starting point. We highly recommend you contact us for one of our Genesis Meetings to clarify whether or not a Maverick might have the solution you’re seeking.
Phase I - Assessment
This phase can range from the simple recognition of a challenge or opportunity to a formal inquiry and analysis of the current situation.
- Challenge
It is often difficult for leaders to see into their organizations with clear eyes. Candid feedback from employees is not always available. Management teams may struggle to get clear feedback from one another, afraid to risk damaging their political or social standing. In addition, being in an environment day after day often creates a set of expectations that are hard to see beyond, despite clear evidence. - Maverick
As an expert from outside the organization, one of our consultants can act as a magnet to draw out the true view points and opinions of the team. Our neutrality, our position outside the political networks of the organization and our “fresh” eyes, all allow us to gather “truer” information. Our expertise allows us to better summarize and clarify what those findings mean for the future.
Phase II – Vision
Vision is partly about seeing the future and partly about creating it. Leaders need to create compelling plans for their organization that are also based in the realities of their organization’s strengths and culture.
- Challenge
One of the biggest obstacles to creating a strong vision is time. Busy with the day-to-day operations, many leaders struggle to make adequate time available for a task that, while important, can be put off in favor of more pressing issues. Creating agreement and alignment with key team members can also be challenging. Last, it may be difficult to identify which elements of an organization are core to any future, which weaknesses can be overcome, which strengths to rely on as a compelling and realistic vision is created. - Maverick
Experts at facilitation, our consultants can help your organization around the rough spots, hold you accountable, create opportunities & processes to guide you through addressing key information as you create a vision worth making real.
Phase III - Design
This critical stage is where the plan for fulfilling the vision is created AND aligned on by the team responsible for implementing it.
- Challenge
Teams may struggle to find a sensible middle between too much and too little planning. Some organizations over invest their time and effort into creating detailed future action steps that will become useless as time passes and the organization changes. Others generate only brief outlines and vague timelines without really addressing specifically WHAT work must be done and HOW it will be accomplished. - Maverick
We help you design plans that are sufficient to provide clarity and immediate action in the short term as well as the direction and flexibility for the long term. These types of plans account for the skill level of the implementation team as well as the working culture of the organization. The process we use allows the team to think through a variety of critical issues and opportunities. The process will help you prepare for the future you can see and predict, as well as situations you may not formally be able to envision.
Phase IV - Implementation
Implementation is the beginning of the beginning. This is the stage where the plan is launched. People who will be involved in fulfilling the vision are informed, engaged and alignment is created throughout the organization. Implementation is where the way forward, expectations and processes are outlined.
- Challenge
Challenges at this stage depend on the initial state of the organization. If the organization is unhealthy, if front-line people feel abused or misunderstood by their leaders, if the culture is already highly resistant to change, if the changes made threaten the power of key influencers—any of these situations make implementation a challenge. Additionally, the success of an implementation effort can be heavily influenced by the skill level of the person leading the initiative and their credibility and relationships with the team. - Maverick
Using an outside expert who knows how to adequately prepare for and deal with the challenges unique to your organization can dramatically improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your implementation efforts. Our consultants are experienced in leading work in both friendly and extremely hostile environments. They know how to deliver implementation sessions that must deal with white elephants, long-standing conflicts, fear, confusion, or even just resignation. As one client put it, “If there is a rabbit in the hat, you guys can pull it out.” If there is a result there that can be produced, we’ll produce it.
4 Critical Steps to Change
Causing and sustaining change is a process with four critical steps. The following is an overview of our proven 4 step approach.
Ready to Start?
A Genesis Strategy Meeting is a highly recommended first step. It’s free, and designed to clarify for both you and us what your most critical objectives are and how to best address them.