” You must BE the change you wish to see in the world.”  Mahatma Gandhi

This is one of my favorites…though sometimes I struggle to live up to it!

As a leader though, it really does speak to the fact that we MUST “walk our own talk” if we expect others to support the changes we are trying to make in an organization.  That means that we must believe in ALL aspects of the change that we are trying to effect.  Seems obvious and simple enough.  However, at times I think leaders may be to quick to compromise away some of their core beliefs in order to get to an agreement.  They seem to do so almost unknowingly…perhaps not recognizing the danger that lies in front of them by doing so.  That danger is that at some point they will violate those norms because they do not TRULY believe in them.  When they violate them, they lose all credibility for the change they are trying to make.

In conclusion, when it comes to using participative processes (and I DO believe that participative processes lead to the best result) to design a culture, manage a change process, or move an organization forward, it is essential that your minimum requirements (as the leader) are met.

By BEing the change you wish to see in the world, you embody the essence of it…and you become a living example of the desired future you are trying to achieve.