What’s your problem?

There are 2 simple reasons a person would move from Los Angeles to New York City.

The first exists when she sees the benefits of NYC, then sees by comparison the problems in LA, and finds NYC to be a better place to live.

The problem with this reasoning is that the benefits of NYC are far away and require great effort to enjoy.  As long as she can forget about the benefits of NYC, she can continue living with the problems in LA; they’ve never bothered her before.  And besides, LA isn’t that bad.

The second reason to move is just the opposite.  This time, she sees the problems in LA first.  And then, after searching and researching, discovers NYC, sees its benefits by comparison, and finds it to now be the necessary location.  She can no longer ignore the problems of LA.  She saw them first and they are now unacceptable.

If you desire any significant change in your team or organization, begin by exposing a significant problem.  Then, invite the group to join in the search, research, and discovery process.

The decision to make a difficult move is rarely initiated by the benefits of another location.  If you show the benefits of change before you’ve made clear the problem, you’re just offering a freezing New York when LA has a great beach.