1. Change and the Orb Webs

2. Planning like a spider The small creature, the spider, creates a work of art using a fine thread This thread is like silk, yet feels strong like wire when you walk into it You can sense the fear of a small fly as you attempt to remove the web that seems to cling for ever, trapping you The spider has planned this change in circumstances It has waited patiently for the change It has built a strong tool for change What we can learn from the spider is diligence in preparing a solid foundation for the change How? Well lets look at how the web is built

3. Building a spider’s web Most spiders spin webs wherever they live Orb webs are spun by garden spiders Like all other webs, orb webs are made of fine silk thread The thread comes from tiny openings in the spider’s body and trails out behind the spider as the web is built Orb webs are circular in shape and take about an hour to build The spider begins by making a four sided frame, stretching between two objects, such as gateposts or trees The spider then adds two diagonal lines from corner to corner to make the frame stronger Next, threads are built from the centre to the sides, almost like the spokes of a wheel.

4. Building a spider’s web The centre of the web is now very strong The spider spins a spiral from the centre of the web out to the edges Finally, the spider works back on the spiral toward the centre, using stick silk so insects can be caught Orb webs are very strong and so can resist strong winds and objects, even large objects like humans accidently walking into them!

5. The Orb Web

6. The Change Web In change we think like the spider We choose a good place to start…that’s anywhere where we can anchor our position from a point of strength We build a frame work, an idea of the landscape in which we will work, the scope of our territory We strengthen our framework by undertaking supporting actions for the change..the spider builds diagonal lines The spokes of the web are then built and as change agents we reach out to the people effected by change and communicate an awareness of what will be happening Just like the spider we begin from the centre, the heart, and build desire for the change one person at a time As the web builds it draws you in and a desire for more knowledge grows The vision for a better situation is compelling as we weave our change version of the spider’s stick silk…our idea’s and vision are sticking!

7. The Change Web Because of the foundational work that we have implemented our change is strong, like the spider’s web We can learn much from nature because the very essence of nature is change. Change is necessary to survive as we move from season to season… from financial year to financial year Nature just is and does not complain. It just does what it does. If I pull down the spider’s web, the spider builds another and then another and so on and so forth. The spider doesn’t stand high on back legs, hands on hips, pointing at me and bitching and whining at me…it just does what spiders do…build another web! Change Management is not a one size fits all solution…although there is a process that can be followed. Starting with a strong foundation is important Talking with people and building a strong web is critical…otherwise you won’t catch a fly!

8. How do you think what you are doing in Change Management is like the Orb Spider’s web? How strong is your foundation? How are you making people stick with the change? Are you building a web? Are you on the fringes of the web or in the centre? Where do you think you should be? If someone knocks down your web, how do you react? What else in nature can help you implement change? What can you do today that will improve tomorrow? A Call To Action!

9. thechangesamurai.blogspot.com change is the art of improvement