Experience of Change:
Resistance and Team Reflections
We are transforming… We need to be more agile…
Complaints, questions and frustrations in minds and conversations…
In fact, if we think about each of us, we are already pretty agile. As we may all know, our ancestors who adapted changes were the ones who survived. As we grow up, we have done “inspect and adapt” thousands of times to become who we are. For example; we plan very well before stepping into a decision in our personal life. But I am always surprised by those who get overwhelmed when it comes to planning as a team. Or; when we invite to evaluate the past period or a project, I hear complaints that there is a lot of work left behind and there is no time for meetings like Retrospective.
Let’s say; when we are close to summer, we would not say, “I have a lot of work, I shouldn’t look in the mirror. Like:”I can’t weigh, I have a lot of work :)”. Do you think a body can change in a healthy way without evaluating what is needed more or what is needed less?
As humans we are complex and if we never do reflection, it causes an action-oriented life missing valuable opportunities to have a fulfilled life.
Knowledge work is complex and we need that reflection for how we are producing. But if the teams want to do that but cannot find the opportunity to do reflection; then it is a contradiction. An organizational transformation does not mean only “transformation of employees or teams ”. It should be a holistic change in the way of working. Organization has to give that space and proper care for teams/ employees. Because people under any pressure are less likely to try something new, or think clearly about anything. Otherwise it is not a transformation, only a marketing activity that does not have a target to evolve.
Ayşe Turunç
