The Elements of Transformational Change

The best change agents are are on a constant path of change- journeying from one level of expertise to the next, expanding their mindset to accommodate newer viewpoints in the process. But there is a significant difference between a change and a transformational change. While the former is a shift meant for the short term, the latter is sustainable-which could help you excel in the long run.

But we often mistake the former kind of change for a transformational change. So, how to identify a truly transformational change? What are the tell tale signs of that change which is a kind of evolution itself?

Here we find answers.

Transformational change leads to greater success

The constituents of transformational change

Preceded by an impasse

A transformational change almost always comes in the aftermath of  a change agent facing a particular problem. And the problem, or the stumbling block is that they don’t have a clear vision regarding the direction in which they should guide the organization or team. This is a professional crisis which is almost spiritual in nature.

To clear the fog surrounding the mind addled with misinformation and confusion, a secure space and a reliable guiding hand are needed, which would help you realize your True Personal Vision.

The Temenos Vision Lab or TVL is a unique session developed with this very same objective. Created by Temenos+Agility, it incorporates 25 years of business consultancy experience and psychological insights. Already, change agents across the globe have benefited from TVL.

Change in attitude

An attitudinal shift is a key sign of a transformational change. For instance, a change agent who has viewed a particular project as undoable may shift to a go-getter attitude. Or maybe someone who was rather self-centered may become more of a team player as a result of the transformation.

Such a significant shift is activation- which refers to the process by which the inner archetype of a change agent comes alive during a transformation.

Like a person maturing with age, a transformational change leads to greater insights

Sudden clarity

Deep rooted transformations are often accompanied by abrupt clarity of matters which may have been muddy in your mind until that point. To sudden clarity though usually comes after a period of practising discernment- which helps you stay focused on what’s important for you, without getting trapped in a mental web of distractions.

Shift in belief

While it’s common to see people changing their opinions about something, harder it is to see the same happening with beliefs. For beliefs- be it about a process or life in general- are far more deeply rooted to be changed so easily.

But in a transformational change, the rare instance of a belief change occurs. This doesn’t happen on its own, but rather by virtue of the courage which the change agent shows. Holding on to a belief- whether it’s misguided or not- creates a comfort zone for the change agent, and courage is their ability to step out of their comfort zone and explore mental/physical terrains that fall out of their experience spectra. In the process, the change agent could experience a prominent change in belief.

Emotional response

The idea that a change agent should function in a business scenario in a purely analytical manner is a misconception. In fact, the best change agents often have some level of emotional investment in the business process they are  part of- it serves as an added stimulus to perform better.

In a transformational change, such strong emotional responses are inherent. This emotional response further makes the change agent more perceptive of the mindset of others in the team- which is the quality of sympathy.

Sense of inner knowing

A sense of inner knowing is as much a part of transformational change as the Earth is a part of the solar system. In TVL, the change agents are encouraged to explore their inner selves and share their values and aspirations with each other by virtue of the Influence Maps- a proprietary tool developed by Temenos+Agility.

Incorporating the steps of Personal Mythology, Clean Slate, Personal Vision and Compelling Shared Vision, the tool helps change agents map their inner selves holistically, helping them come to a better knowledge about themselves.

Mindfulness- the basis of transformational change

The idea of a transformational change is linked to the concept of mindfulness- a discipline that owes as much to ancient Buddhist traditions as it does to modern psychology. At the risk of sounding simplistic, mindfulness implies observing the thoughts that rise your mind objectively so you can eventually get better at handling your emotions, improving your judgment, paving the way to more serenity.

Three critical steps offer a good framework to understand this idea better.

1.Self- awareness

2.Self- regulation

3.Self-transcendence

1.Self-awareness

As mentioned before, TVL helps the change agents get to a deeper level of self-awareness. And self awareness is one of the foundational elements of mindfulness. It’s not the part of your self concerned with work alone that you would explore in TVL.

In fact, TVL is designed in such a way that a holistic awareness of your self is promoted- encompassing the personal, emotional and professional selves that make an individual self.

2.Self-regulation

A change agent with better self awareness is well poised to regulate themselves in a manner that’s meaningful to a business process. This has a lot to do with the earlier-mentioned aspect of discernment.

Now that they are aware of the contents of their own minds, they are better positioned to understand the thoughts and attitudes which would distract them from the task at hand, and stay clear of them.  

A transformational change is underpinned by mindfulness

3. Self-transcendence

The beauty of mindfulness is that it doesn’t just help you become self-aware but also to rise above the self that’s filled with confusions and a lack of direction.

Such a transcendence is also a possibility- if not the norm- in a transformational change. This is brought about my limerence- the intense desire of a change agent to connect with his or her higher self.

How transformational change enhances functional elements of change agents

Now that you have the overall picture of the elements of a transformational change, and also the underpinnings of mindfulness which forms the basis of such a change, let’s take a look at how the transformation enhances the functional elements of a change agent.

Habits: A transformed change agent acquire new habits in the process of transformation. These habits would be aligned to the role s/he plays in the organization, helping improve productivity and the interest in the processes related to the business at hand.  

Language: The idea of newly acquired habits naturally gets reflected in the verbal communication of the change agent. His or her vocabulary would be expanded, now including words for newer concepts they may have never even thought of before.

Skills: What with the keener interest in the business processes, the change agent would have a greater propensity to acquire new skills. S/he is now self-driven in that respect.

Perspective: Thanks to a broader understanding of one’s own self and the team members, the perspective of change agents towards each other and to work/the organization gets refined.

Stance: The clarity which vision brings helps the change agent make a firmer stance for what s/he believes would be beneficial for business.

Values: Thanks to assessing one’s self with the aid of Influence Maps, the change agents have now better understanding of the values they adhere to, which helps in their success.

Identity: Although identity is not a change agent’s functional element, it still addresses his or her behavior and the attitude they bring to the proceedings. In this respect, it’s worthwhile discussing it here.

A holistic assessment of the self forms part of the transformation. With a better understanding of self, the change agent then takes the leap to explore mental terrains previous uncharted. This exploration could be strong enough to change how they identify with themselves. They may even find themselves shifting from one archetype to a stronger one.

Image credits:  Linda Xu and Jared Rice  on Unsplash

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For change agents and leaders, not to benefit from meaningful events and gatherings is a missed opportunity! We invite you to indulge in some of the most transformational events from Temenos; designed with hard-earned understanding, organized just for you.

Temenos Vision Lab- Online ( June 29, 2018)

We invite you to this special gathering, which brings together a group of wonderful people who fill workplaces with joy and energy. By connecting with each other, you embark on a journey that leads to better clarity about the changes you seek, gain collaboration opportunities and leave with a concrete action plan.

Temenos Vision Lab- Amsterdam, Netherlands( Nov 2, 2018)

a668f554-ff3a-46d4-8a6b-3b5dbac20edaAnother venue to take an exquisite inner journey, to find your true Vision.

Temenos Effect Gathering 2018- Bengaluru, India(Dec 8 to Dec 9, 2018)

An event dedicated to the idea of personal mastery, for nurturing your beautiful self, for change agents and leaders to become their true selves.

For more details, visit our website - https://www.visiontemenos.com/events


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