Did you know? Corporate moles are not a protected species!

Did you know? Corporate moles are not a protected species!

I admit it: privately, I am an amateur gardener and a lawn enthusiast. For me, mowing is somehow the perfect counterbalance to work, where the effects of my actions tend to be longer-term and lasting. Mowing in summer, by contrast, lets me see the impact immediately and enjoy quick results.

And who is the lawn enthusiast’s greatest enemy? The mole, of course! Nothing is worse than ugly mounds suddenly emerging from nowhere on perfectly mown grass. Worst of all, the mole is protected by conservation law, at least in Germany! My hands are virtually tied when it comes to taking effective action.

Fortunately, organisational change is different. There are moles here too: colleagues who work like agents against organisational change in the background or underground over long periods. Just as a mole uses its hidden tunnel system to surprise me repeatedly in my garden, change’s moles use their usually strong internal networks to stir up sentiment.

As a leader, you must never ignore this. Otherwise, you unconsciously place them under protection. And conservation areas, as we know, remain untouched by intentionally driven change.

What tips do you have for handling moles? It is mating season again now, from January to March, when the little beasts are particularly active! Share in the comments how I can legally drive these creatures from my lawn. :-)