Mindfulness and the Art of Change by Choice: Radical leadership for managing change

ISBN-13: 9781784520960 / Angielski / Miękka / 2017 / 256 str.

Philip Cox-Hynd

Opis

'Change' is a word that evokes a range of responses, many of them negative. Choice in this context can become a 'choice' between the frying pan and the fire Simply, if you have to go on about how much of an opportunity change is, or how much choice you really do have, then the average listener's mind will have already started to cloud with cynicism and thoughts like, "I am being duped " 'Change' and 'choice' have differing implications depending on the context. Change can either be an exciting prospect or the cause of dread. The degree to which these two extremes and everything in between are experienced is directly dependent on the amount of choice we feel we truly have. Mindfulness is the mental discipline to 'stay in the now' and become freer from that which we crave as well as from things we are attached to. When Mindfulness is practised it can affect the way in which an individual approaches change, and increase the range of choices that can be discovered within every apparent no-choice situation. Writing in a conversational style, Philip uses a mix of analogies, real life stories and change management case histories to examine our psychological response to change and choice. One case history explains how the author applied his change techniques to the development team of VIAGRA, bringing the drug to market ahead of schedule. The book explores the practical application of Mindfulness and the radical leadership required to deliver sustained change in our lives, be it within our families or workplace. Simply, how do we discern mindful changes to embrace, from changes to resist? And how do we absorb change so that the new becomes the new norm?

Mindfulness changes your brain in 8 weeks. Its linked to increased employee job performance ratings. As a form of meta-awareness or self-observation, it affects reasoning and decision-making. It also increases readiness to take greater responsibility at work, and it helps people respond calmly rather than react defensively. The boost it gives to results can come as no surprise.Mindfulness has also been associated with a reduction in stress and anxiety. These are emotions that arise when you change management culture, working processes, structure and strategy. Such feelings can seriously hamper progress if not handled correctly.In this book Philip Cox-Hynd lays out his mindfulness-led methodology for smoothly managing change both in what is done (strategy and processes) and in how its done (mindset and culture). He explains in detail how to display the kind of radical leadership that results in your colleagues driving change with the fervour of a hunter who has caught scent of the quarry and the astuteness that mindfulness brings.He uses case histories such as Pfizer where he was the lead change consultant on the Viagra project, helping to get Viagra to market nine months ahead of schedule. He also talks about Ella’s Kitchen, the baby and toddler food company. He reveals how he used a technique he calls "orchestrated disruption" to enable staff to own, drive and even seek accountability for the change-for-growth programme that led to the very successful sale of the company.This book is for CEOs and C-Suite Executives who want to manage change with the full and active support of their colleagues.