Navigating Strategic Change using Breadcrumbs (A Halloween Story)
Revolutionary vs evolutionary change — and why both require breadcrumbs. How Roger Martin's concept of strategic breadcrumbs helps change agents design a path that works for the Early Majority, not just early adopters.
Meet change approaches F and S.
S is a revolutionary change for people. It requires new roles and totally new ways of working. It is shock therapy.
It requires such a leap that people often resort to faking it because it is so hard for them to change.
F is evolutionary. It starts with where you are. It shows you how you’re working. It nudges you along the way.
It is so comfortable and safe that it’s tempting to settle down and rest instead of moving toward the destination.
Both S and F require careful navigation of the change path and proactive leadership and guidance.
A concept that can help for both S and F is what Roger Martin refers to as Breadcrumbs (Think Hansel and Gretel ).
Breadcrumbs help us see the next step, make S safer and clearer, and light the path for F.
Many Experts and Early Adopters don’t need the breadcrumbs. The path is clear for them. They sometimes find breadcrumbs repulsive and prescriptive.
They have a particular distaste for specific safe havens along the path.
Here’s the thing, though…
Change is a Product. It should be customer-centric. Designed for the context.
There are different types of customers (or people going through change). Many of them do need breadcrumbs.
It’s not the breadcrumbs that are evil. It’s the witch (that is hiding the breadcrumb trail)!
Happy Halloween !
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