My six-month old puppy, Rio, was spayed last week and came home lethargic, dejected and wearing the “cone of shame.” I knew this would not last long because, well, she’s a six-month old puppy! I needed to figure out how to keep her calm, cease (or severely limit) all running and jumping and keep her and my other dog from frolicking vigorously during morning and evening zoomie times. This was a serious change from the norm. Exponentially. And it would be for her benefit. I’ve learned a lot over the past 8 days, some of which, I believe, can shed some light on managing change. I offer these lessons learned:

1.     Start with Why – Yes, that famous book by Simon Sinek got it right. Leading, managing, and successfully navigating change is always more successful when the people undergoing the change understand why. Be sure to communicate (clearly, often, and in various ways) the benefits of the change and why it will solve a problem or have a positive impact. Sadly, my husky mix has 18 ear muscles (which she uses to ignore me on a regular basis) and can in no way comprehend why we brought her home from a traumatic experience, shoved a large, hard cone on her head, and sprayed her with water every time she wanted to play. As humans we can do much better.

2.     Patience Pays – So many times when we change tools, processes, or ways of working, we create a communication plan, roll it out and . . . voila! Hope it sticks. (It rarely does) We need to first understand the emotional responses to change, support our team members and be patient when it does not go perfectly as planned. After some trial and error (bumping into walls, spewing water on the floor), people will learn the new methods and strategies and why they matter. If we are patient and provide guidance and support (and some belly scratches), the change will become a habit, and the benefits can be reaped by all.

3.     Flexibility Can Flourish – People (and puppies) are amazingly adaptable to new situations and realities. When given clear goals and guidance, they learn and grow. If you provide consistent messaging and opportunities to practice (no jumping!), paired with empathy, their resilience may just surprise you. I am astounded at how quickly Rio got used to the cone and was able to eat, sleep, and navigate her surroundings. People too, can adapt and learn along the change curve and even innovate along the way.

4.     Assess and Improve – A final lesson I learned is that plans can (and often should) change to improve the outcomes. My change plan initially was to ensure that Rio did not hurt herself by wearing the cone 24/7 for two weeks (per vet recommendation). However, after seven days of being whacked in the back of the knees with the cone, I consulted friends in similar situations. I learned about the inflatable donut collar that would keep the surgery area safe, and offer more comfort for Rio, my other dog, and the family. I researched this and made the adjustment. It has been a game changer. When implementing a change, be sure to take an agile approach, get feedback, and adjust to increase success.

So, when making a change with people or puppies, practice purpose, patience, and adaptation to realize your plan.