Thanks for your feedback on last month's blog: To Quit or Not to Quit
Ironically, earlier this month I had the opportunity to work with a group of young women who have chosen not to quit, when it would be very easy to do so. The women's basketball team at the University of Nebraska Omaha started off well, winning 4 of their first 7 games, but in mid-December things got tougher and currently they are 8-19, with only 2 wins in their conference.
It would be very easy for this team to give up. To quit. To ride out the season. For the Freshman to start looking forward to trying again next year. For the Seniors to start looking towards graduation. Get this season behind them and move on. But the team I worked with and saw play a few weeks ago is far from that point. They are still working hard. Still diving after loose balls. Still playing together versus pointing fingers and blaming one another. Yes, this team is playing hard and finishing strong. They are a role model for all of us. They are a great example of not quitting, as they figure out how to win.
Following our Managing Corporate Change© process, one of the things we worked on was clearing emotions (step 1 of our 3-step process) in order to clear the way to invent possibilities (step 2). The team cleared out many of the emotions due to all the change going on in their lives. Cleared out some of the frustration of losing when they are used to winning. Cleared out as much as possible so they can make room for possibilities. Could it be possible for them to make the conference playoffs? Could it be possible to build a strong team in the face of so many losses? Are they ready to be responsible for the outcome? Win or Lose?
As the University of Nebraska Omaha Women's Basketball team heads into the last two games of their season, I look forward to watch how they end up. They recently moved from last place in their league to number 8, which is important as only the top 8 teams make the Conference playoffs. I am rooting for them, but regardless of the outcome, they will have won. Because they are finishing strong. Doing all they can do to win. Not giving up and not giving in. And that will be a solid springboard for whatever is next.
How about you and your squad? Is your team finishing the project work well? How is your organization dealing with the recent adversity and negative press? Of the downsizing? How we finish impacts how we start what's next. Here's hoping you are helping lead your folks to finish strong!
One of the reasons I am so passionate about the process we use for leading change in our workshop Managing Corporate Change™ is because it works for all types of change, all types of organizations, levels and ages. Ideally it is done with in-tact teams, looking to produce better results for both the individual AND organization.
