Three Steps to Manage Change

In any industry a company’s growth and performance will depend heavily on how well they adapt to change. Whether it involves adopting new technologies, accommodating a multi-generational workforce, or creating more scalable processes, organizations are constantly faced with various levels of procedural and cultural changes. Proficient leaders recognize this key consideration and are prepared to effectively manage the process. While it can be a formidable task the following three steps provide a guideline that can be followed for almost any potential change.

1. Determine the benefits for all teams. The foundation for an effective strategy hinges on the validation of the needed change as well as the benefits for each level of the organization. This validation process will facilitate the critical step of gaining support from the leadership team.

2. Build a plan to overcome barriers. Central to the process of creating a plan to implement the change is identifying the potential barriers that could impact the desired results. The magnitude of these obstacles will determine the potential strategies to employ, for the greatest chance of success.

3. Lead the process and manage resistance. Leading the intricacies of a change process requires a steadfast commitment to transparent communication. This includes articulating benefits, defining the appropriate steps, and managing resistance.

Depending upon the complexity of the desired change, dividing the process into manageable steps can enhance the potential for success. The initial steps should be relatively easy to gain the confidence of each team in order to build momentum and commitment for future phases. And the above three-step process can also be applied to each incremental change as well.

Identifying when a company needs to adapt, establishing the correct course of action and leading the process are not easy steps. And the greater the change the more challenging the process. It is this very challenge that compels adept leaders to consistently manage minor cultural and procedural adjustments, thereby reducing the need for major changes that may become necessary for survival.