Leverage Change: 8 Ways to Achieve Faster, Easier, Better Results

by Robert W. Jake Jacobs

Overview

Frustrated that change efforts you’re leading take too long, are too difficult, or are too often ineffective? Discover eight powerful ways to make any change work faster, easier, and better—whether done by C-suite leaders or frontline workers.


In a recent Fast Company article, nine CEOs said the biggest challenges their companies face are all related to change. Change is a constant need and challenge for every organization. Too often, people who lead change work are frustrated that it’s too slow, hard or ineffective.

Organizational change doesn't have to be so difficult. Leading change expert Jake Jacobs shares eight fail-safe ways to make any change initiative faster, easier and better. These levers, or smart strategic actions, can be used with the change method you’re already deploying be it PROSCI, Lencioni’s 5 Dysfunctions, Appreciative Inquiry or any other. Think of the levers as making a good thing even better.

Leverage Change is chockful of practical applications and 44 stories, some contributed by Jennifer Brown, author of The Inclusive Leader. Your organization suffering from change fatigue? Then use the Pay Attention to Continuity lever. Change happening too slowly? It’s time to Think and Act as if the Future Were Now!

Leverage is about getting more done with fewer hassles, headaches and problems. Equally applicable to individual, team or organizational change work, Leverage Change is your guidebook to any type of change, in any organization, made by anyone.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781523092246
Publisher:	Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Publication date:	05/04/2021
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.06(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Robert “Jake” Jacobs is the founder and president of Jake Jacobs Consulting. A pioneer in large-scale change, he has worked with some of the largest corporations in the world, including Ford, Marriott, and Corning, and has supported major change efforts for the City of New York, the US National Forest Service, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the United Kingdom’s National Health and Employment Services. He has been featured in a wide array of strategy and leadership publications and has authored or contributed to seven books, including Real Time Strategic Change.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Introduction: How to Gain the Most from Leverage Change 1

1 Pay Attention to Continuity 14

2 Think and Act as if the Future Were Now! 28

3 Design It Yourself 42

4 Create a Common Database 61

5 Start with Impact, Follow the Energy 73

6 Develop a Future People Want to Call Their Own 86

7 Find Opportunities for People to Make a Meaningful Difference 99

8 Make Change Work Part of Daily Work 112

9 The Power and Possibilities of Leverage Change 124

10 Taking Leverage into Your Own Hands 137

Notes 149

Acknowledgments 151

Index 153

About The Author 165

Discussion Guide: Apply What You've Learned 167

Editorial Reviews

The best organizations co-elevate—that is, their people and teams support one another in ways that transform individual relationships and entire organizations. Jake Jacobs knows and embraces this idea. The concepts and tools in Leverage Change are a powerful path to creating this new, proven approach to achieving outstanding results. —Keith Ferrazzi, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Leading Without Authority

“Who needs help dealing with the constant change that is happening in our lives, our organizations, and our world? We all do! Leverage Change is a much needed guide for dealing with change, no matter when or where it appears. Robert Jacobs’s 8 Levers will help you adjust the ways you already manage change to make them work better for you. Read this book, embrace change, and step into a more secure future!” —Ken and Margie Blanchard, cofounders of The Ken Blanchard Companies® and coauthors of Leading at a Higher Level

“Most companies realize that to be competitive in the marketplace requires new and innovative technologies, business models, services, products, and solutions. Those who create this kind of value for customers the fastest win! Smart leaders understand that to achieve this value creation requires that they overcome fixed status quo mindsets. They must find ways to help those they manage change meaningfully and quickly. Jake’s ingenious change levers help us do just that. His methodology is transformational. Starting now, all organizations that are serious about change need to teach Jake’s levers to their leaders, starting with the C-suite!” —Susan Schmitt, Chief HR Officer, Applied Materials

“Now more than ever, we need healing when it comes to relationships between residents and police. Jake Jacob’s Leverage Change is the perfect tool for handling pressure-filled, high-stakes, anxiety-ridden situations. This book helps people get things done in a way that fosters honesty, equity, fairness, and respect. Communities facing this challenge can find a way forward by following the techniques and tools in these pages.” —Jessie Halladay, leader, The Louisville Synergy Project to Further Strengthen Resident/Police Relationships

“My work is to convene global populations of change-makers. What I’ve seen is that the world is facing massive problems that are too complex for any one ‘best solution.’ What we need are many ‘best solutions’ to address the issues concerning different ages, cultures, and communities. That’s what Jake Jacobs’s book Leverage Change provides.  He gives us the tools to work together in new and inventive ways. Read this book, use what you learn, and be confident you can make the world a better place.” —Arielle T. Sullivan, facilitator for World Unity Week and the Unity and Peace Global Convergence 

From the Publisher