The unspoken rules win the game

Implementation is about exposing the unspoken rules of the game, and making them spoken. Some rituals are so deeply engrained that no one even talks about them anymore. Does "That's just the way we do things around here" sound familiar?

The working methods and the standards and values they are built on are not something that just appeared out of nowhere. Ground rules are the grease that makes the organisation and the interaction between personnel run. Some rules are set out in black and white. But most are informal and are a part of the culture in the organisation.

Some informal rules have a major impact on the success or failure of an implementation. Once in a while, the unspoken rules give rise to vicious circles of negative and repetitive events.

By opening up discussions straight across the organisation, these rules can be mapped out. How are decisions made? What do you have to do to get a compliment or a promotion? What topics are absolutely taboo in the organisation? What choices will have a negative effect on your career? What behaviour is going to get people talking?

In our implementation approach, we identify the vicious circles. And we shine a light on the unspoken rules that may be the cause of them. That's how we direct our approach at the heart of the matter.