BOOM! Ladies and gentlemen, this is David Leonard coming to you LIVE with today’s tech transformation showdown! We’re witnessing a MASSIVE momentum shift happening in companies across America as traditional playbooks get completely REWRITTEN by digital innovation!
I’ve seen game-changers before, folks, but what we’re breaking down today is a CLINIC on how to navigate the people side of change when introducing new technology. Shannon Davis from MAREK just executed a TEXTBOOK example of adjusting mid-game when the defense wasn’t buying what they were selling.
Let me set the scene: Nine years ago, Davis steps into MAREK’s arena looking to upgrade their paper-heavy frontline operations. Field supervisors—these are seasoned VETERANS of construction—suddenly getting iPads thrust into their hands! Talk about a COMPLETE MISMATCH of expectations versus reality!
Davis admits making the ROOKIE MISTAKE we see all too often—focusing on the X’s and O’s of the technology while COMPLETELY MISSING the human element! It’s like drawing up the perfect play without considering if your players can actually execute it! A fundamental ERROR that could’ve derailed the entire program!
But here’s where the ADJUSTMENT happens, folks! Davis learned from that first possession and implemented THREE GAME-CHANGING PRINCIPLES when approaching their next big project—a comprehensive HR platform rollout:
Davis – Standing Firm in Core Beliefs
When the pressure mounts and you’re facing fourth and long, you need something to fall back on! Davis emphasizes how core values like faith, honesty, and integrity became the FOUNDATION that steadied the team when introducing disruptive changes.
What’s BRILLIANT here is the strategy of “going into their world”—stepping into the shoes of those field supervisors and SEEING the game through THEIR eyes! That’s what separates good leaders from GREAT ones! They don’t just call plays from the booth; they get DOWN ON THE FIELD and feel what their players are feeling!
Davis – Practicing Intentional Reflection
THIS is where championships are won, ladies and gentlemen! The halftime adjustments! Davis talks about creating DEDICATED SPACE for reflection—allowing time to process experiences, recalibrate, and realign actions with the organization’s broader vision.
During their system implementation project, reflection became Davis’s LIFELINE! You can have all the talent in the world, but if you’re not watching the game film and LEARNING from your mistakes, you’re leaving WINS on the table!
Cultivating a Supportive Network
NO ONE WINS ALONE! The greatest leaders build a ROSTER of supportive teammates who can offer perspective, challenge thinking, and provide encouragement during difficult stretches. Davis clearly understood the power of surrounding yourself with people who ELEVATE your game!
What we’re seeing here is a MASTERCLASS in change management! Technology implementation isn’t just about the HARDWARE or SOFTWARE—it’s about the HEARTWARE! Understanding the HUMAN ELEMENT is what separates the champions from the also-rans!
The TAKEAWAY is crystal clear: When introducing new technology, you’ve got to play BOTH sides of the ball! The technical execution matters, but if you’re not bringing your people along, you’re setting yourself up for a DEVASTATING turnover!
Davis’s journey shows us that even when you fumble the initial approach, great leaders find ways to RECOVER! They adapt their strategy, keep their core principles intact, and ultimately find a way to WIN!
BOTTOM LINE: Whether you’re rolling out iPads to field supervisors or implementing enterprise-wide HR systems, your game plan MUST include strategies for bringing people along. Stand firm in your beliefs, make time for reflection, and build that supportive network!
This is David Leonard saying what we’re witnessing here isn’t just a technology transformation—it’s a FULL-TEAM EFFORT that deserves a STANDING OVATION! Back to you in the studio!
