Change can be a very positive thing for organizations. However, it can also create a sense of unrest amongst team members – especially if change is not managed as well as it could be. Effective change management brings everyone along through the process in ways that honor their unique capacity for processing and handling evolution.
What is Change Management?
Change management is a step-by-step process that you lead your team members through to increase their satisfaction with the workplace change. Effective change management looks like the following phases:
- At the outset, ensuring you articulate your goals with your teammates and build understanding around their importance will be essential.
- The second phase of change management involves providing your employees with the guidance, support, and resources to adopt changes in measured and holistic ways.
- Finally, the last phase will incorporate best practices for evaluating the adoption rate of new behaviors and processes as well as determining their overall effectiveness. Phase three will also look at how to transfer responsibility and accountability beyond leadership to encourage a broader range of team members to champion sustainable models of change.
How Change Management Relates to Leadership Development
Within an organization where there are different levels of leadership, there will also be different ways to lead change effectively. For leaders at the topmost level of the organization, effective change management will be about modeling new behaviors and persuasively building consensus around new practices.
Leaders who work more closely with frontline representatives will emulate effective change management by working with team members, day in and day out, to ensure clients experience the benefits of change firsthand. This will involve real-time feedback and the implementation of any resources necessary to fill gaps in capacity or consensus.
Why Change Management is Important for Leaders
Change management goes beyond the logistical responsibilities of transitions, growth and operational evolutions. It refers to the people side of managing change to support the best possible outcomes for your company. The tact with which your changes are implemented will depend on how they are embraced by your team members, so developing your leaders to know how to manage each stage of change appropriately will determine its sustainability and success.
How You Can Effect Successful Change As A Leader
Leading change management effectively requires understanding your team members and implementing changes in ways that reflect their needs. By communicating effectively, modeling changes consistently, and empowering your team members with information and resources, you will increase the likelihood that your organization can progress without unnecessary delays or human resource issues.
Learn How Leadership Development Can Improve Change Management in The Workplace
Before you launch major organizational changes, connect with Learn2. Our leadership experts will show you how to integrate change management best practices to lead company shifts in ways that build trust and encourage enthusiastic participation. Reach out to our professional development specialists today, and let’s chat about how we can lead more resource-effective, collaborative and positive change that benefits your entire organizational ecosystem.
