What does leverage look like? Sound Like? Feel Like?
And how can you lever so that things move rather than becoming immovable objects.
You know that recent spat about the Sydney Opera House sails being used for advertising? Leaving aside that I was a little surprised that the decision was made, it was an interesting case of leverage don’t you think?
- Who moved whom?
- What levers were pulled?
- What did it sound like?
- And I wonder, for the people close to the action, how did it feel?
I am not going to side-up here. But some of the levering was pretty loud and aggressive and driven by a big personality. Some levering was more active and included lots of names and quite a big mob.
So, what could putting pressure on the lever sound like?
How can you press on the lever without alienating those who might assist you press on the lever?
It has to sound like an honest conversation doesn’t it?
If it is an attempt to manipulate someone, then using this form of leverage there will eventually be a recoiling. And golly, when that happens…when that happens…
Well, we saw what happened. The big personality had to (again) apologise.
It sounds like trusting your idea with others. But knowing that you have done the thinking that if the sharing isn’t received well then you share again. Perhaps you revise, but you continue to understand the need for a shift to happen.
It sounds like you listening and adding, don’t you think?
How does leverage feel?
Remember the power of the fulcrum in levering.
Remember that, initially, you need to build a fulcrum and then you position your idea in a way that makes the most of the pressure you will apply.
It feels like understanding why and feeling the future.
It feels like you are clear and focused. You can see where you are headed and you want to go there.
But, I believe the pivot needs others who will assist in the movement you are determined to make. And all of that feels like understanding and shared knowledge.
That feeling happens through communication.
How can you be empathetic during the pressing of the lever?
Why is this important?
I have done a lot of thinking about leverage and change.
I have a weed that grows in my garden. It is called marshmallow (nice name but a rotten weed). It is useful to assist with nettle stings (which also grow in my garden and yes, I am not much of a gardener). And if I don’t get the levering right, the marshmallow just breaks off and grows a deeper tap root that is twice as difficult to lever out!
Yep thinking about how others are going to respond to the change is really important. Why? To ensure you don’t simply entrench what you are trying to move. That, in your effort to level, you snap it off and the entrenched thinking/doing becomes further entrenched.
Does it always have to be about the talking?
Can’t the pressure be about the doing also?
Well of course. After all, it is all about getting something done. A group to a new place or a great project started and finished. But yep it does have to start with and continue to be about the talking. And, the bigger the shift the more and the smarter the talking required.
Leverage – get on with it.