Overview 
Technology
is no substitute
for effective
communication,
trust and
leadership
development:
- Super software will not cure all your
organizational ills!
- Digital systems will not trim the fat
off your budget!
- Strategic plan software will never
help you implement your cool new plan!
As organizational development
consultants we have to admit that we
are just as intrigued by purposeful or
fun trends as the next person, but we
also have an obligation to speak the
truth in front of seductive technologies
and their impressive draws: There
simply is no substitute for rolling up
your sleeves and getting to know the
needs of your people and customers.
Yes. Trendy programs can be pretty
darn cool. Yes. Software, new facilities
and improved programs can be very
helpful and may even save you plenty
under the right conditions. But no tool
will work if you do not have successful
communication, trust and professional
development as the foundation for your
organization.
One way to develop successful
communication with your people is to
recognize what stage they are in as a
group. With each new passing day in
business, trend or program change,
groups go through predictable stages.
Having an awareness of these stages
will help individuals and leaders to
recognize and accept these natural
phases. You and your people will likely
feel a heightened level of safety and
security in knowing where you are on
your journey and what you need to do
to get to the next stage successfully.
Group Development Examples
Visit www.upstatebusiness.net to see
one model of group development first
proposed by Bruce Tuckman in 1965.
Laying out the four stages of group
development, the model is well-known
and highly effective in helping groups
and their leaders understand what to
look for and then what to do to increase
a group’s communication, trust and
leadership effectiveness through stages
of change. If your organization is facing
change brought on by the introduction
of a new idea, a new program or a
trend, we recommend you give this
model some thought. Consider sharing
this information with your people to
open up a dialogue and begin to build
trust. All groups, regardless of their
history and regardless of their level of
knowledge or skills, will go through
or remain stuck in these stages. As
you read through these, locate where
you are and decide if you want to
create effective change. Then take
steps toward improving your team,
department or organization.
Keep in mind when you are tempted
to drop a dime on any number of quick
fixes: Business models may appear
to be what you need. Even computer
programs may seem like the “safe” bet.
But they may seem safe because you are
caught in the fantasy or illusion that if
you buy the new “widget” then you’ll
become the success.
The Tools are Only as Good as the User
Models, diagrams, computer
programs, technologies and trends are
just tools. That’s all they are. Tools. In
the hands of the right people, they will
enhance a good thing. But, on their
own, they will not help us change our
behaviors. They alone will not help
us improve our communication. They
alone will not build trust or buy-in.
They won’t do our work. They will
only postpone the inevitable. Make no
mistake about this. Businesses succeed
or fail through their people. The better
your people communicate with each
other and your internal and external
customers, the better off your business
will be. Then, utilize the models, the
best technologies, and the motivational
programs, but always with the caveat to
see them for what they are: just tools to
help your people grow and develop your
organization and themselves.
Download this Article
Kelly Graves is a business management consultant and the founder of Chico-based Internal Business Solutions, Inc. Consulting. He specializes in individual and organizational development. He consults with local and national organizations in both the public and private sectors. Additional information about Kelly and his consulting services can be found online at www.ProfitWithIBS.com, by e-mail Kelly@ProfitWithIBS.com or by calling (530) 321-5309; toll-free: 1-800-704-3785.
