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April 10, 2013

Where am I in the change process?

Uncategorized

So, I’m pretty obsessed with systems change research and effectiveness. How do we go through change and how do organizations navigate change internally? So, many people know I facilitate the Systems Thinking Systems Changing simulation developed by The Network, Inc. Today on my bike ride, I applied the key learnings within the simulation to myself. Yup, I’m a DORK.

I was recently fit by a professional bicycle fitter. Michael Sylverster of Bicycle Fitting Services, suggested I try a trailer versus panniers. If you combine all the bicycle touring he’s done in his life to consecutive days, it adds up to 3 complete years! His number one reason was that with a trailer, the bicycle handles pretty much the same when you have no weight (other than yourself of course) on it. He offered to loan me his trailer for a few days. I was incredibly resistant to changing up my plan two months before leaving on my bike ride across America (www.roadtorhode.com). But, I borrowed the trailer, added weight and went on a ride early this morning.

While on the ride, I thought about the systems simulation I facilitate, where school teams or public health partners that work with/in schools have to work together to bring 24 people within a virtual school district from awareness of the change (the facilitator frames the activity depending on the audience, ie., implementation of a sex ed policy, staff wellness opportunities, a new PE curriculum, etc), to the preparation stage, implementation, sustainability and beyond. Within the simulation, virtual staff emerge as leaders, champions and even resisters. I was thinking on my ride how I was a resister. And, processing that, I determined that I resisted the trailer idea only because I’ve ALWAYS used panniers. Since I was 15. Why change? And, honestly, that is a valid reason to resist. I’m comfortable with it. I have the equipment. I know how my bicycle feels fully loaded. When Michael told me his reasons for advocating trailer use, I was in the awareness stage. I knew it was an option. And, within that stage, I hopped a few spaces over on the game board. Last week, I made it to the preparation stage. I was prepared to try the trailer. And, I borrowed it from him yesterday and this morning took at 15 mile ride with it. At this point, I think I’m at the end of preparation and about to implement. I think I may be converting from panniers to trailer.  I liked the feel of my bike with the trailer even better. In fact, loved it. At some point, I may be sustaining and beyond stages, which means I’ll be advocating for the use of a trailer. In the meantime, I’m going to continue to test both options out and make a decision that fits me best!

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Comments

  1. David says

    April 10, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    Talk about transfer of learning, wow! It’s great when you can bring some pretty lofty concepts down to the practicality of daily life. No doubt there will be many other such applications as you peddle across the country!

    Reply

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