Changing colors

Over the weekend, I changed the color of the kids’ bathroom. This implies that I simply painted, but of course, “painting” requires much more than rolling paint on the wall. In fact, that’s the easiest part; changing the color of a room requires many more steps.

I like to compare organizational change to the other things we change in our lives. It provides insight into how change happens and illuminates some of the steps we might otherwise miss. Analogies open the door to creativity.

Thinking about the change you are implementing, go through this step-by-step process of changing wall color and identify what the equivalent of each step might mean in your organization:

1. Select the paint color and finish.
2. Purchase supplies.
3. Remove fixtures.
4. Spackle holes.
5. Dust away cobwebs.
6. Wash baseboards.
7. Tape edges.
8. Lay drop cloth.
9. Apply paint.
10. Let dry. (Repeat from step 9 as necessary.)
11. Remove tape.
12. Replace fixtures.
13. Admire work.