Embrace the Change

“The art of life is a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” — Kakuzo Okakaura

It might seem more expedient to follow on with training and change management after a new process or strategic direction is developed, but this can quite often miss the window to influence people’s thoughts on the change.

Driving meaningful change requires a deep level of participation at every level of an organization. These changes whether it’s a new business model or a major technology shift often requires an adaptation of an organization’s culture, which can only be successful when people are engaged and enthusiastic about change from its inception. Change is most successful when it is understood and “makes sense” to the organization.

The problem becomes that too often people feel the exact opposite of engaged and enthusiastic about change. They will often tell you no that this change won’t work, but the trick as a change agent is to listen beyond the initial no and drive at what the no says about the real challenges with making change.

The buy-in of the team is not easily forced from leadership. Rather, thinking through the Why, what, and how of a change and doing so in a collaborative way will drive authorship of the change.

• Why: Can we agree on what the problem is (the why) and that it is important to solve? This understanding and agreement is fundamental to motivating the change.
• What: Do we have a shared vision of what the outcome should be? Is it clear how the change solves the problem? What will remain unsolved or unaffected by the change?
• How: How will the change be implemented? Is this feasible? Who needs to help to make it successful and what will it take for them to believe in the change?

There is a wonderful TED Talk given by Jason Clarke that does an excellent job stepping through many of the concerns you will hear around change and how to empower people to overcome these obstacles. Ultimately, it is up to the team to make it happen.

Written by: Matthew Vallorano, Consultant

Matt works with clients on data analytic solutions, and business process design. Outside of work, Matt enjoys wine, Italian cooking, and sailing.