The Challenge of Leadership: Challenging with Success

A list of six factors for raising the probability of success in the difficult work of Challenging the Process

1. Respect the Culture: You must be careful in how you confront and challenge accepted processes, systems, or behavioral norms. It is crucial that you understand and appreciate the environment in which you are attempting to challenge the way something is currently done. You just cannot barge in and criticize the other people for their use of a process you believe to be inefficient or archaic.
2. Understand the Process You are Challenging: Resist the urge to Challenge Processes you know nothing about. This leadership practice requires homework. You must understand a process in its current state, so you can determine the impact your changes will have. Remember that a solution to one problem often creates many new problems.
3. Build a Compelling Business Case (if you can): Part of your role as a leader is to help people go to places they have never been before. That means you will be frequently blazing new trails, with great ideas for doing things differently, which have never been fully proven.
4. Build Advocates Inside and Beyond Your Current Circle: You need to be able to build a ground swell of support for your process or procedure innovations. Having key people throughout your organization carrying your message forth is a necessity to make progress.
5. Build Credibility through Small Wins: Small wins allow you to build a track record with people, and to show that you can be counted on to deliver what you promise. Following through on promises and commitments is at the core of credibility.
6. Choose Your Battles Thoughtfully: Don't become known as a whiner or complainer. Accept the fact that you cannot Challenge every Process. You must be selective and apply your time, talent, and energy toward improvements or breakthroughs that are an investment for you.