Presented at Association for Change Management Professionals Conference, April 2012

1. The
Poker Face
of Change
What a Game of Skill and Luck
Can Teach Us About Change
Janelle Montgomery
2012 ACMP Global Conference
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Association of Change Management Professionals Conference
April 1 – 4, 2012

2. Poker can teach us about change management
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
1

3. A good player knows the game and uses his tools
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
2

4. A great player constantly adjusts to new information
Develop a
deep Follow a
understanding consistent Leverage luck
of the people process
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
3

5. Look at the players – not your cards
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
4

6. Every interaction is rich with information
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
5

7. It’s more than the “tells”
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
6

8. Your ability to read a person will develop over time
ABILITY TO READ
PERSON
TIME
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
7

9. Your “read” may not be accurate
TELL #11
TITLE:
I can’t believe I’m betting! Where can I hide?
CATEGORY:
Nervousness
DESCRIPTION:
...The bettor...is covering his mouth with his hand...
MOTIVATION:
There’s a reasonable chance that the bettor is covering
his mouth to make close scrutiny of his face difficult. He’s
unaware that he’s doing it, though. The reason he
unconsciously wants to avoid examination is that he’s
probably buffing.
RELIABILITY:
Weak players = 71%
Average players = 62%
Strong players = 57%
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
8

10. Political and economic resources change the game
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
9

11. Gauging risk tolerance takes experience
What process
will we follow?
This thing is
going to be big! How do we
make sure
How can we
this will work?
really make a
splash?
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
10

12. The dangerous ones are not who you think they are!
RESOURCES RESOURCES
LOW HIGH
RISK TAKER RISK AVERSE
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
11

13. What’s really motivating people?
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
12

14. Address disengagement quickly
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
13

15. Use a consistent process
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
14

16. A great combination will win the game
Training
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
15

17. Make sound decisions
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
16

18. Luck is a resource to be managed
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
17

19. Be ready to take advantage of a shift in momentum
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
18

20. Don’t get overconfident, and don’t overcorrect
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
19

21. Play for exceptional change management
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Delivered at 2012 ACMP Global Conference
20

22. Janelle Montgomery
janelle.montgomery@northhighland.com
972.392.6345
Images courtesy of fotolia and iStockphoto. Used with permission.
The Poker Face of Change, April 3, 2012, 2:30 PM
Association of Change Management Professionals Conference
April 1 – 4, 2012