“Art and science have their meeting point in method.”  ~Earl Edward George Bulwer-Lytton

Fundamental organizational shifts are partly chaotic and partly predictable. We have to be able to plan for and address the known aspects of change and at the same time acknowledge and deal with the inevitable puzzles, contradictions, and conundrums that arise.

Think of the execution of organizational change as a continuum. At one extreme, it is a stable process where we manage events by applying set rules and formulas. Here, a “paint by numbers” or cookbook solution would be acceptable. At the other end, it is a mystery, guided by coincidence, random circumstances, and chance acts. Under these conditions, “gut instinct” and hope would be acceptable components of a strategy.

Neither of these extremes ever happens to their fullest extent, of course, but we must be aware of both ends of the spectrum if we are to understand how to balance the two.

The Logical Side of Change

The science of organizational change execution is rooted in the study of humans during transition—how they understand and commit to a change, align with one another in support of it, and deliver the promised outcomes. The science of change informs us; it provides an anchored platform from which we can attempt to replicate success patterns.

When implementing strategic initiatives, we can standardize certain elements of the process to maximize consistency and decrease variations. The science of our work gives us the ability to recreate outcomes within acceptable deviations of norms. Those things that need to occur repeatedly with some standard of quality do so without much digression.

This is the “technical” portion of our craft, and it includes many aspects, including:

• Likely risk, given certain circumstances
• Mindset patterns that result in particular interpretations/actions
• Behavior patterns that lead to foreseeable reactions
• Proven intervention principles; clearly defined nomenclature
• Validated tools
• Field-tested techniques

When addressing the predictable, logical, and inevitable challenges of change, it is important to have access to tools we can trust to create similar results most of the time.

Of course, we must also be cautious. Too much reliance on the technical elements of our craft can lead to rigid analysis, which can create misleading findings and mechanical responses. To balance this, we must attend to the artistic side of our work as well.

Using Creativity and Intuition to Explore the Possibilities

The art of change execution frees us to explore the possibilities beyond the constraints of science:

• Apply intuitive judgments and creative actions to unique circumstances and untested solutions
• Surface and probe the unknowns, ambiguities, and confusion of change
• Uncover, examine, and resolve multiple scenarios of success and failure

Through the art of change execution we can examine new horizons, generate meaning in the moment, hold apparent contradictory information as equally valid, and form innovative responses.

The artistry of our craft is where nuance, subtlety, and shades of distinction reside. This is where we uncover and orchestrate the less obvious—but nonetheless crucial—dynamics that so often have a significant influence on the outcomes of change.

The technical components of our craft are designed to produce precise results each time they are used, while the artistic components help us move forward with more fluidity—each application uncovers its own novel effect.

We must be cautious here as well. Too much reliance of the artful elements of our craft can lead to careless analysis, whimsical interpretations, and unfounded recommendations.

The Balance Lies Somewhere in the Middle

The science of change is about applying uniform patterns, risk tools, and techniques to accomplish a narrow range of outcomes consistently. It involves staying within familiar/defined boundaries and leveraging known solutions. This is the part of practicing our profession that calls for high structure and low discernment.

The art of change is about applying creativity and intuitive judgment to unique circumstances. This is where we deal with previously unexplored territory—extraordinary occurrences, unfamiliar twists, unexpected dynamics, strange reactions, unanticipated consequences, etc. It involves exploring new horizons and fostering innovative responses. This is the part of our craft that calls for low structure and high discernment.

At its most simplistic, we apply the science that we know so well in order to replicate success on a frequent and reliable basis. When we apply our art, we create fresh responses for seldom-seen dynamics and circumstances (successes occur, but are far less predictable).

We need both in order to practice our craft, and can balance them best when we use both discipline and courage:

• We need discipline in order to attend to the linear, systematic aspects of change with concepts and tools that provide consistency. This helps us handle the predictable science side of our work.
• We need the courage to face the non-linear mystery of change with enlightened intuition and decrement. Courage is critical when addressing the unique, artistic aspects of facilitating change.

Next: Finding the Balance Between Logic and Creativity