Who Killed Change?: Solving the Mystery of Leading People Through Change

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“It’s a simple question. Who carried him out into the organization?”

Pecs looked perplexed and was silent.

McNally knew from experience that it takes a leadership team to carry Change out into the organization if you expect Change to be effective. He recalled an organization he had worked with recently that understood this. They were introducing a Change and had put together a leadership team composed of members who had successfully led Changes in the past. These people had the time needed to lead Change, were highly skilled, communicated well and were diverse enough to avoid groupthink and introduce and integrate Change throughout the organization. In short, they had the talent to carry Change forward.

McNally went on. “It’s one thing to hold Change up all day and it is another to carry him out into the organization, to interact with the people who may be affected by him.”

“Look,” said Pecs with a reddening face, “I pulled my weight when it came to Change.”

“From an outsider looking in,” McNally retorted, “it looks more like you used Change to benefit your own agenda—to build and flex your own muscles. But you really didn’t think about what Change or the organization needed.”

McNally continued, “Perhaps my last statement was a bit strong, but if you don’t mind me saying so, it’s obvious you’ve worked very hard to build your upper-body strength, and I’m sure to some degree you had Change’s and the organization’s welfare in mind. But I just can’t see how you could consistently carry Change out into the organization without stopping frequently for breaks.”

Pecs reluctantly admitted, “You’re right. I’ve been out of balance. But when I look in the mirror, I just see myself from the waist up. If I don’t see my flaws, then I don’t have to deal with them. I’m not one to blame others. That’s truly not my style. Spence Sponsorship talks about putting a team together every time a new Change comes, but somehow the responsibility always seems to come back to me.”

This was just what Agent McNally had suspected.

Taking pity on Pecs, McNally said, “It’s too late for this Change. He is dead and gone. But another Change will come along and you can start working out your lower body. You can get ready to carry Change throughout the organization rather than just pumping him up a few times and then disappearing. The key is balance—doing some of the heavy lifting at the front end and then continuing to support Change throughout the change process.”

Pecs nodded and said, “Thanks.” With a note of concern he asked, “Are you charging me?”

“I’m not charging anyone until the investigation is complete.”

“Are we done?” asked Pecs.

“For now. You’re not planning on going anywhere, are you?”

“Just to the gym,” said Pecs with a hint of a smile. “I’ve got some squats to do.”

Suspect #5: Communication (#ulink_a38de0c9-e4a2-56a3-890a-345d94940ab8)

A FEW minutes after Pecs left, Clair Communication knocked lightly on the conference room door and entered the room. McNally stood and said, “Hello, I’m Agent Mike McNally. Thank you for your time.”

Communication responded with an almost imperceptible smile and a polite nod of her head. Her black hair was shoulder length and she wore full-framed black glasses.

They settled into their respective chairs and McNally said, “I suppose you know why I’ve asked to talk with you.”

Communication nodded.

“Can you describe your working relationship with Change?” McNally asked.

She responded in a whisper, “You’ll have to forgive me, I have laryngitis and—”

McNally interrupted, “Would you prefer to postpone the interview?”

“No, no,” she whispered. “It’s sort of a chronic condition for me.” Communication continued, “Change and I worked together on a few projects. He asked for my help in getting the word out to people who needed to be involved.”

“Were you able to help him?” McNally inquired.

Communication cupped her hand to her ear. “I’m sorry could you repeat the question? The batteries on my hearing aid went dead a while ago and I haven’t had time to replace them.”