Changing the Line-Up

They had grown very familiar with each other.

They had been selected from different backgrounds, but it didn’t take them that long to establish a rapport. From there the bond developed. It was reinforced during the rocky first months after the launch. They didn’t let the setbacks deter them. There were enough to keep their heads up and look to learn in a way that would help them go forwards.

Once they got through that initial stage as results improved and they received a lot of positive feedback, they started seeing the fruit of their labours.

It got to the stage after a few years where they thought that this would be the line up for a while to come.

That was when the manager dropped the bombshell.

He was changing the line-up.

They didn’t understand why break up a successful line up. At first they rebelled against it and threatened to quit as a whole if the decision wasn’t rescinded. Over time, though, they realised that their stance was counter-productive.

It was a great wrench, though, to see what had become family seemingly torn apart. The manager was insistent, though, that the change was needed. He applauded the close relationships that had been formed and actively encouraged opportunities to meet up again. Yet he told them that the change was needed and would make sense.

And so there was a period of transition and upheaval as some of the old were replaced with new. And the new had to find their place among the old who were taking time to adjust to the change.

The manager was smart, though, in hiring the new with the right blend of confidence, humility and hunger. The new folks did not have the opportunity to set up their own clique and the team already there didn’t have the chance to set up a clique against them. The demands meant they had to work together.

Through this, and the understandable dip in results, the team as a whole understood that they could either let the stand-off continue, or see the opportunity that was available with the new line up. Difficult though it was at the start, there were chances to see what was possible with the new folks. Gradually it dawned on everyone that it wasn’t about recreating what had worked in time past, but celebrate what could now be produced.

Resistance was soon broken down and the new line up performed even better than the former line-up. All because of the mentality of the new to learn from the old without being intimidated and the old to learn from the new whilst retaining valuable experience and skills that would help their new counterparts.

Valuing what worked is worth acknowledging and celebrating. Seeing the opportunity to refresh and renew when the line-up changes can also have its benefits.

(Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden