In our summer Cole McKee newsletter we described how one of our clients, Boston Scientific is building a Strengths based culture to increase their competitive edge. We think they are taking a smart, long term approach to this. The newsletter article is based on an interview with Tim the head of the UK business and Liz the HR Director. Here is an excerpt:
The viral approach to change is the only one likely to succeed in this case. A top down roll out would have been self defeating. However, this puts far more responsibility on senior managers to “walk the talk”. You need to identify your Advocates and get them to spread the message. Don’t waste time convincing resistors. Not everyone will get it straight away. You also need to remind people that we are focusing on strengths to improve performance.
The Boston view on Strengths is a hard edged business one. They have been pragmatic in their change strategy too. Using the principles from The Tipping Point they are spreading the focus on strengths through people rather than trying to impose a system. We think they will succeed.
