Have you spent any time watching people at a swimming pool? When they first arrive and are about ready to get in, adults frequently will stick their toe in the water, especially in the early part of the summer when the water tends to be cooler. They want to know how cold it is, because colder water shocks our system. Kids are different, if they see others in the pool, they just jump in and begin playing. Some adults will take it slowly, sitting on the edge of the pool dangling their feet until their legs have adjusted to the water temperature, then they step in and get to about waist deep, and finally full body. Others know it’s cold and so they wait around, getting up courage to take the plunge, or their friends in the pool encourage them. At some point, they take a deep breath and jump in.
Change is like that in your organization too. While a few people are ready to jump in with whatever is being changed, most are waiting, hesitant and fearing the shock on their system. Seeing others who are willing to go along and accept change is a major factor in moving many people forward. They don’t want to be the first person; they’re watching and waiting to see who will go first.
In corporate language speak we would call them the “early adopters” and they are critical to success. Yet some early adopters are only doing it because they’ve been told to do it, which isn’t the ringing endorsement you’d like. You’d love those people who say, “I’m in”, or “this will be good”, or “let’s go” or any positive words about the change and encouragement to others to join along. The early adopters let others know, it’s okay. By them doing it, others will feel a little peer pressure, which might mean just what is needed to get them to say, “I’m in.”
What is your response when your organization needs to make changes? Are you willing to “put your toe in the water” and boldly be an early adopter? Or do you prefer to hang back to wait and see? Or do you resist and say, “no way, I’m not going to change?”
If we’re honest, most of us are probably “wait and see” people, or “no way.” Why? Because change is hard and it’s natural to not jump in, to disrupt the status quo. We ask “why?” instead of “why not.”
When you choose to put your toe in the water, you become a leader. You send a message to yourself and to others that is powerful. It’s not just a “can do” attitude, it’s an “I will do” attitude and both are needed. And your toe might be the toe that moves others to jump in too, to begin the momentum that’s needed in your organization. Do you want to be a leader, or a follower?
I remember listening to a Pastor of a small church with mostly retired members tell this story about the power of a toe in the water. They were planning a summer Vacation Bible School, yet they had no kids at their church, so they wanted to take it into the community. The idea was great, but they weren’t getting volunteers to be crew leaders, individuals that work directly with the kids. The pastor made a plea and there was no response until a World War 2 veteran with limited mobility said, “Pastor, I can do it”. He put his toe in the water and said “yes”. After a period of silence, someone else said, “I’ll help”, followed by others. Soon, they were full of volunteers, but it wouldn’t have happened without that one member willing to be the first.
The next time there is a need for someone to put a toe in the water, will it be yours?
So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away… was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. Joshua 3:14-17
