What advice could a billionaire offer to us as change practitioners? In fact, the counsel that Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater (hedge fund), offers in this article is not specific to us; however, it contains an important message for us to heed… Be radically open-minded.
How does this relate to practicing our craft?
- Stay alert. Early in a career, it is easier to stay focused and to be present. You are learning a new methodology; you are experiencing new challenges; you are feeling the rush of new discoveries. After a while, however, it is easy to fall into a routine. You’ve done this before, many times. You fail to see the cues that say things have shifted. While the principles that underlie your approach are still sound, top-down sponsorship may no longer carry the authority it once did; resistance may be voiced, but in different ways than you are used to looking for. Stay alert.
- Learn, learn, learn. The depth and breadth of knowledge regarding change continues to grow exponentially. Much of this growth is available to you through conferences, workshops, and publications. Fields related to Organizational Change Management—Organizational Development, Project Management, Business Relationship Management, and others—are also adding to our wisdom. So are numerous other fields including coaching, organizational network analysis, and neuroscience. Integrate their knowledge into your practice as well. Learn, learn, learn.
- Make new friends. We tend to hang out with people a lot like us. Professionally, our colleagues may help us grow around the edges; it is unlikely that they challenge us to the very roots of our thinking. Yet if we are to practice at the top of our craft, this is what is necessary. Make new friends.
While our profession continues to take root, the world around us continues to change at an ever-increasing pace. The only way we can catch up, and keep up, is to be radically open-minded.
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About the Author: Brian Gorman
Brian Gorman is a transformation coach who supports individual and organizational change, sharing his “lessons learned” to ease others’ journeys. He is a workshop facilitator, public speaker, and author of The Hero and the Sherpa, a chapter in the Handbook of Personal and Organizational Transformation (Springer Publishing). Brian also creates blogs, articles, and videos about the change journey.
From 2016 to 2023, Brian served as Managing Editor of Change Management Review™, where he curated articles, contributed original writing, hosted podcasts, and collaborated with guest authors.
Over five decades, he has worked with individuals and organizations—including Fortune 100 companies—gaining deep insights into universal patterns for navigating change.
Brian holds a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Syracuse University, an MA in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas, San Antonio, and an MA in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. He is an ICF-certified coach, an active member of its NYC chapter, and belongs to the Forbes Coaches Council and the Gay Coaches Alliance.
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About the Author: Brian Gorman
Brian Gorman is a transformation coach who supports individual and organizational change, sharing his “lessons learned” to ease others’ journeys. He is a workshop facilitator, public speaker, and author of The Hero and the Sherpa, a chapter in the Handbook of Personal and Organizational Transformation (Springer Publishing). Brian also creates blogs, articles, and videos about the change journey.
From 2016 to 2023, Brian served as Managing Editor of Change Management Review™, where he curated articles, contributed original writing, hosted podcasts, and collaborated with guest authors.
Over five decades, he has worked with individuals and organizations—including Fortune 100 companies—gaining deep insights into universal patterns for navigating change.
Brian holds a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Syracuse University, an MA in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas, San Antonio, and an MA in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. He is an ICF-certified coach, an active member of its NYC chapter, and belongs to the Forbes Coaches Council and the Gay Coaches Alliance.
