What can learn from Janus the Roman God of Change? Janus looks both ways – to the future and to the past. This reminds us to take pride
in our past, and to remember how we have triumphed over adversity. At the same time, we should look to the future, setting aside some of our cherished habits to grasp new opportunities and to adapt to a changing world. Placing a major organisational change on a timeline from the past to the future does just this. It gives perspective, takes pride in achievement, and makes change part of an ongoing story.
Janus is depicted with a key and a staff. His key unlocks the doors that mark transitions like birth, marriage, and death. His staff guides people from one era to the next. Moving from one state of being to another is not simply a matter of behaving differently or growing older. It requires a change of thinking and being. It means stepping over an invisible line and never returning. For thousands of years, we have marked such transitions with rituals and ceremonies, helping us make the necessary psychological leaps. Whilst making animal sacrifices to Janus are no longer on the cards, we can still benefit from ceremonies.
As part of a organisational change at Royal Mail we offered Delivery Office leadership teams the opportunity to choose between two doors. One led to no change. The other door led to transformation. This was all part of a wide-ranging engagement process that helped them make up their own minds about the need for change. Fortunately, they chose the door of change. Then the hard work of transitioning began!
See Chapter 5 of ‘The 5 Forces of Change’ & www.5forcesofchange.com
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