There are so many sayings about change. How it’s inevitable. That change is the only constant in life. If we don’t change, we don’t grow. Etc etc etc.
No matter how much you try, change periods are still tough. Even in scenarios where there are no layoffs, it’s difficult to quell people’s fear about the unknown. However, if you take the right approach to change management, focusing on open and honest communication, while also preparing yourself for the bumpy road ahead, you should be able to keep productivity at normal levels even as the organisation weathers significant change.
You can do this with any sort of change. You can also use language that reflects your belief around the sort of person you want to be.. “I am so the sort of person who drinks a lot of coffee, and so takes a keep cup wherever I can.”
It’s no longer a matter of thinking “if we can just get through this period of x”, it will all be ok, and we will go back to life as usual. Change is the new usual. And it’s not going to go away.
The communication process doesn’t need to be onerous. It doesn’t need to involve large town halls and full on presentations (although of course there is a place for those). It just needs to be regular, on message and provide employees the information they need.
BUT, there are some threshold questions that need to be considered well before any of the above. Questions that might mean that a change should never progress beyond the initial concept:
Change and leadership are inextricably linked. Often leaders are brought in to introduce change, and always change requires great leadership if it is to be successful.
In part, the practice of stopping creates a circuit breaker in an otherwise hectic day. It provides a pause to consciously reflect on how you are feeling at that moment and to reset that if necessary.
I am speaking at an event later this week; on leading through change. It’s a great topic — a timely and timeless one; as change will
A very long term client is doing renovations which means their security gate has been moved, there is a new process to get in etc
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