IRONING 101
Whenever I wear a suit, I usually have to iron a shirt to go with it. As I usually wear suits on most days, I have ironed my fair share of shirts over the years.
Whilst ironing one day, I cast my mind back to a chemistry lesson I once had, where we looked at how heat from an iron breaks up the hydrogen bonds which exist between the polymers within plant-based fabrics.
I then began to draw parallels with the process of ironing, new leadership & change.
Regardless of your experience, wealth of knowledge or charisma, as a new leader coming into any organisation or position, some strong bonds, in form of; loyalties, culture/business as usual “…This is how we’ve always done it” and disorganisation from the old regime will be evident (in one form or another)…
– …To conclude his example, our teacher explained that the heat merely breaks the hydrogen bonds without destroying the polymers themselves. With a bit of pressure, the cellulose molecules are forced to lie parallel with each other; thus flattening the material; making it straight. –
Unfortunately, however, too many leaders are soo concerned with creating a ‘lasting impression’, that they are ‘destroying’ the people, organisations or positions they find themselves in. ‘Heat’ in form of; new ideas, new appointments/redundancies and even sometimes motivation is required to iron out wrinkles. That said, leaders must learn to judge the material i.e. the organisation or position to assess the level of ‘heat’ required at any given time.
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The heat you use for cotton cannot be the same level of heat you use to iron silk.
Something to think about: Are you more concerned with making a name for yourself at the cost of those you’ve been called to serve?
