Hello all! We are in a series called What does Pickleball have to do with change management? In this series, I’m sharing some of the lessons I’ve learned from playing pickleball that have direct application to my work as a change management practitioner. I took a break last week. Last week’s post was There are many ways to be successful. This week’s lesson is….

Move in tandem with your partner

In doubles, you and your partner need to be in sync and move together as much as possible. I’ve heard it said that you need to be two ends of a rope. If your partner moves to the far right of the court to chase down a shot you need to move that direction, too. When you start moving forward to get to the kitchen line, your partner should move up with you. If you and your partner move together, you’ll maintain good court coverage, give your opponents fewer angles or gaps to attack. and increase your chances of winning. If you aren’t in sync, you decrease the chances of things going well for you, your partner, and your team.

As a change management practitioner, it’s also critical to move in tandem with your partners. If multiple internal change people are working on the initiative, it’s important that you are aware of what each other is doing. If additional consultants are involved, working in tandem is important. Then are the multiple people in each business you’re working with. If everyone works together and is in sync, you will have excellent “court coverage” and increase the chances of a successful change initiative. If you and your partners aren’t working in tandem, things can get messy pretty quickly.

If everyone works together and is in sync, you will have excellent “court coverage” and increase the chances of a successful change initiative.

Closing thoughts

I want to hear from you! Have you ever found it challenging to work in tandem with your partners on a change initiative? How did this dynamic affect the outcome? What strategies have worked for you to move like “two ends of a rope” with your partners through an initiative?

Please post your thoughts and comments below. Let’s help each other become the best change management practitioners and enthusiasts we can be!

Thank you for reading. Until next time, take care and keep up the good work!