The only thing constant in life is change, yet many people (including myself) feel more comfortable when things stay the same. When everything is familar. But if we are going to have to face changes throughout our lives, it is probably a good idea to develop the competencies that will help us manage that change. That is- make the process and way of handling change familiar.
The Change Leader Inventory is an assessment which acts almost as a guided reflection on competencies that help one deal with and manage change. As you read through the statements you think back on your actions and feelings in specific situations, and look at yourself in comparison to where you could be and where you have been. After reflecting on the statements yourself, you talk about the assessment results and your thoughts during the assessment with Dave.
During my debreif Dave and I discussed my score in the overall competencies.When I first looked at the results I didnt really know what to think. What does it mean if my score was low or high? What scores should someone like me expect? Where does this put me in relation to my peers, or even my boss? It was helpful to go through the results with someone who understood what the results were showing. It put the scores in perspective with the other assessments I had taken throughout the year in school. Reviewing my answers to individual questions gave me time to examine those recent situations; how I responded to the change and how I might have responded better. We discussed areas in which I want to improve, and other areas which I should see as a strength.The overall conversation helped me invision a clearer version of who I want to be in the future, and how I might get there.
I think one thing that really stuck with me about the change leader inventory is how not only does the inventory help you look at your own capabilities as a change leader, but also starts a personal journey with change. When you have a conversation about an assessment like this, you don't forget about it the next day. You start thinking- in any situation, how might you act that would be an improvement on the last time you faced something like this?
With a vision of how you want a moment to play out you have an easier time of acting it out like so. The same is true for change. When you can see where you want to go, it is much easier to get there.