A -- non business -- example of an intervention is a chirurgical intervention.

Interventions of all kinds are useful when managing change. You can call in the help of an Interim manager to speed up change. The shock effect in such a situation is normally enormous. And so can be the resistance. The advantage of such an intervention however is that everybody is aware, there is commitment and attention. The other side is that when this manager leaves the stage, you risk turning back the previous situation. Like the restore of a backup.

Another kind of intervention is one that is not visible. You can hardly call it an intervention, because it smoothes into your organization like a virus.

You will probably be familiar with it, especially if you are the father or mother of a child. Kids copy their parents. This can be extremely nasty, because when they copy you, you are mirrored your own behavior.

Giving the right example is a difficult job. And

that is what change is about. It is difficult. Not in setting up all the scenes with new job titles, interim management and support from outside. It is difficult because of the fact that you have to take small steps.

If you are convinced that you have to bend to the left, you should show others. They will follow you. Eventually.

© 2006 Hans Bool

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