You can feel it in the air…fall is approaching quickly.  I love the fall because it is a season of many noticeable changes – the temperature begins to drop, days become a little shorter, and the trees literally glow through a gorgeous rainbow of colors.

There are also noticeable changes in our workplaces.   Many companies are navigating their fiscal year-end, most are deeply engaged in strategy reviews and business plans for the coming year, and some are taking the opportunity to revisit corporate values, vision, mission, etc.   Such is the case in my own company, and I believe it is some of the most exhilarating and rewarding work we do.

Balancing the tremendous upside of positive change is the reality that change is not easy.  In fact, change can be so challenging that it’s debilitating to an organization.   Chip Heath, one of my favorite speakers from this year’s 2010 WorkMatters Leadercast, has recently co-authored the book, “Switch – How to Change Things When Change is Hard.”   At the Leadercast, Chip gave us a sneak peek at some of the primary themes of the book (remember “direction for the rider, motivation for the elephant, and shape the path?”) that can not only ease the transition of change, but enable the kinds of truly transformative change that so many organizations need to stay on top.   You can read the executive summary of his talk here.

Building on 2010′s Leadercast theme, “Be the One”, plans are underway for next year’s “Voices of Change” on May 6, 2011.  As you can see, change is once again a central thematic element, and I encourage you to join me in taking advantage of our beautiful fall weather to get in the right “open to change” mindset.

To find out more about Chip Heath, click here.  To learn more about the 2010 Leadercast, click here.

Steve Blair

National Sales Director, Ghirardelli Chocolate                                                         WorkMatters Board of Directors