Equations behind successful change: I2 = M2

I2 = M2

If managers are Informed as they were always Informed, managers will Manage in the way they always Managed                              (Stefan van Aalst)

A good equation is usually simple and beautiful and is perfectly capable of explaining itself. This is definitely one of them.
In equations behind successful change: M² = D² I ended with saying that usually one more important item is missing. This item is "information".  Information is usually that what motivates a manager to do or not to do.

If the numbers look good, usually managers do nothing to change. If the numbers don't look good, managers insist that something needs to be changed and fast.

Even when managers do not understand what is behind the numbers, the behavior is usually there. And if information changes the behavior of managers, the way managers manage will change accordingly.

However, it is quite unusual that changing the type and content of information and information flows is an explicit and integral part of a change.

And, changing the information (flow) is not an easy thing to do. There is resistance and fear to deal with. One must ensure that the information parts are not conflicting, or minimally converge to a good enough optimum. And apart from this, there are usually plenty of externally enforced policies and even laws that create an information flow that is not quite productive for much desired change. Then again, difficult or even seemingly impossible, without hard work and persistance we would still not enjoy the benefits of the electric light bulb or automotive transportation; these things were once considered impossible as well.

So if I may in conclusion post a hypothesis:

"If and only if the information (flow) for managers is changed in line with the kind of behavior people must portray, then and only then can a change be successful and last for a long period of time."

Of course there is a lot of theory and research that, well at least seems to backup the equations behind successful change.

The Science of Change:

• D² = G²: If people Do as they always Did, you Get what you always Got (anon.)
• M² = D²: If people are Managed as they where always Managed, people Do what they always Did (Stefan van Aalst)
• I² = M²: If managers are Informed as they were always Informed, managers will Manage in the way they always Managed (Stefan van Aalst)