A recent article about Helena Morrissey, CEO of Newton Investment Management, highlighted some of the critical ways that leaders inspire change.
The story, Aiming at Glass Ceilings, shares that she is inspiring change by increasing the representation of women on boards in the UK. This is not a novel change. There are mandated legal quotas in France and Norway. The US has multiple organizations and lots of grassroots efforts to increase the representation of women on boards. However, neither the grassroots approach nor the legal mandate has resulted in increased representation. Morrissey’s approach is getting real results, inspiring real change.
Tips to Inspire Real Change:
- Clear vision. Although many people suggested she broaden her vision to women’s empowerment, like Sheryl Sandberg, Morrissey did not get distracted. You cannot inspire change unless you are clear about what needs to change and remain focused on that vision.
- Start at the top. Helena focused on the chairmen of the boards. They have the authority and influence to make change happen. When change matters, you need to start with the change makers, not the change wishers or change hopefuls.
- The right approach. Using research data, Morrissey framed this as a business issue and made the case that more diverse boards provide better shareholder returns. There is a popular change acronym, WIIFM, which means what’s in it for me. Find the change maker and frame the change in a way that appeals to them.
- Build a coalition. This is a key step highlighted in John Kotter’s Leading Change. Essentially, this means that you need to enlist the support of other leaders. Early in her campaign, Morrissey sent personal notes to each of the chairmen suggesting that they add women to their board. That was not favorably received. So she quickly changed her strategy to get a few chairmen to support the change and then reach out to their colleagues.
Since 2010 the percentage of women on top boards in Britain has doubled from 12.5% to 23%. In the United States the percentage is stagnate at 17% with very little increase in the number of women represented on top boards.
Mandates and grassroots efforts are less effective than inspiring change by having a clear vision, starting at the top, using the right approach and building a coalition of other supportive leaders.
When to use
- When you want to inspire meaningful change rather than rely on mandates or grassroots pressure alone.
- When you need to clarify and focus a change vision so it does not become overly broad or diluted.
- When change requires action from senior leaders or board members with real authority.
- When you need to frame a change as a business issue using research and a clear WIIFM.
- When you are ready to build a coalition of supportive leaders to accelerate change.
TL;DR
- Leaders who inspire change have a clear, focused vision and resist distractions.
- Starting at the top with those who have authority is essential for meaningful change.
- Framing change as a business issue and answering “what’s in it for me” engages decision makers.
- Building a coalition of supportive leaders is more effective than mandates or grassroots efforts alone.
- Helena Morrissey’s approach demonstrates how these principles can increase women’s representation on boards.