Big changes often introduce confusion into an organization.  Employees frequently resent the imposition of new styles of management or changing objectives.  If you're accustomed to doing a lot of talking people will only be confused if you suddenly quit.  But if you change a few patterns, you won't necessarily do less talking.  You'll be doing more listening and re-distribute your talking, with the result that your information will be more reliable and your decisions more appropriate.

A team of educational researchers were able to improve the performance of students in their classes by training teachers to encourage students and avoid reprimanding them.  As long as people are doing what you want them to do, there is no need to fret about the things they are doing that you don't approve of unless they really bother you.  Small differences in communication can add up to big differences in results.

 

Any change, however great it may be, begins somewhere.  Always start locally (2) any plan for personal or organizational change.  Don't expect others to go along with your ideas as long as convergent agendas (5) allow you to pursue your goals.  Most of the patterns for making sense are directed at making small differences.