What if the key to successful change was a “Silent Sidekick”?
In the ever-evolving landscape of business, where change is the only constant, finding meaningful ways to navigate transitions and drive personal growth can feel like an uphill battle. Amidst the complexities of strategy and the challenges to drive and sustain successful transformation, I have discovered a surprising mnemonic. A symbol that serves as a powerful companion to remind business leaders of the behaviors they hope to embrace on their change journey. It is a small LEGO totem called the “silent sidekick”.
Embracing Change through Play:
The silent sidekick offers a unique perspective by harnessing the power of creative play. As part of leadership alignment workshops for transforming organizations, I challenge executives to construct their own silent sidekick using LEGO mini-figure kits. This process isn’t just about building; it’s about shaping a symbol to represent their aspirations and intentions.
Building Beyond Bricks:
The silent sidekick activity begins with a moment of introspection — identifying key behaviors you’re aiming to adapt or strengthen during this time of change. Whether it’s fostering more effective communication, nurturing resilience, or enhancing collaboration, these behaviors become the foundation of your silent sidekick’s creation.
The next step is building their figure. Some individuals find this part easy. For others, it is surprisingly difficult. Piece by piece, the silent sidekicks take shape. Soon the room is buzzing with energy as people eagerly share what they have created with their neighbor.
I then ask people to name their sidekick, and to articulate what they want their silent sidekick to remind them to do. Each sidekick is meant to reflect an individual’s personal aspirations and serve as a tangible reminder of the change they hope to achieve.
The last step of the activity invites people to share their sidekick with others. I love hearing the questions about names, accessories, tools and clothing as indvididuals discover additional clarity and importance to their sidekick’s mission.
The Power of Presence:
With more and more of our calendars saturated with virtual meetings and digital interactions, the tangible presence of a silent sidekick takes on remarkable significance. Their sidekick becomes more than just an ornament — it’s a constant companion prompting the owner embody the behaviors they are working to adopt. Its presence transforms lofty goals into practical habits and, hopefully, ensures no one is alone on their journey of change.
Beyond the Workshop:
What makes the silent sidekick truly transformative is its capacity to extend beyond the workshop in which it was created. Long after individuals leave the excitement and energy of brainstorming, icebreakers and hopeful conversations, the silent sidekick remains an ever present and unwavering ally. The silent sidekick celebrates your victories and and picks you up when you falter.
Amplifying Impact:
Change isn’t a destination; it’s a continuous journey. The silent sidekick, born from creative expression, becomes a totem for that journey. It finds its place in strategy meetings, interactions with team members, and critical decision-making moments, ensuring you never lose your momentum.
In the realm of business leadership, innovation transcends technology — it encompasses methods that inspire, empower, and drive change from within. The silent sidekick is an embodiment of this innovation, fusing creativity, symbolism, and transformation into a single entity.
So, if you spot a silent sidekick on a colleague’s desk, remember that it represents their unwavering commitment to growth, adaptability, and leading by example.
To those with a silent sidekick by your side, here’s to navigating change, fostering growth, and emerging as even stronger leaders through the art of creative transformation.
Curiously yours, Garett.
