Whether you’re introducing a new product or updating processes in your office, introducing and implementing change is an uphill battle. No matter how necessary the change or how seemingly evident the need is, change demands continuous hard work and a different way of thinking about processes and company culture. Leaders must find ways to help their team see the need for change and inspire them to move toward it confidently and urgently.
Understanding Why Implementing Change is Difficult
Change can be challenging. It can be downright difficult for everyone involved, including the leaders responsible for initiating the change. However, businesses must implement change effectively to avoid adverse consequences and successfully grow their business.
Build an Understanding of Why
Understanding why change is necessary is the first step. Even if it seems like a no-brainer to you, everyone must clearly understand the why behind the changes. Sometimes individuals on your team will lack the ability to see into the future and foresee the benefits of change. For everyone to accept and actively participate in rolling out the change, you must understand what scares, excites, concerns, motivates, and puzzles each team member.
Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is the cornerstone of successfully implementing change. Employees should understand:
- What is changing?
- Why is this change necessary.
- How will these changes benefit the company and themselves?
- The estimated timeline for the change to start and be completed.
Collect Feedback & Listen!
Proper communication also means that the feedback from every team member is sought out, listened to, and incorporated to make the transition smoother. Depending on the size of the change and those affected by the change, companies should develop a communication strategy that outlines company-wide meetings, team meetings, focus groups, surveys, and one-on-one conversations. Telling employees once in a company-wide meeting while discussing other action items is insufficient. When talking about the change, highlight the following:
- Things we used to be able to do and still can
- Things we couldn’t do before and still can’t
- Things we used to be able to do but now can’t
- Things we couldn’t do before but now can
Offer Training and Support
Employees must have the necessary tools and resources to make the new changes work. While some employees may be comfortable with quick changes, others may need more time to adjust. Depending on the nature of the change, it may be necessary to offer training and support to ensure employees can effectively transition. Training modules, job aids, and support personnel can make the difference between employees smoothly adopting the change or losing their momentum.
Celebrate Successes
Celebrating short-term successes is essential as you progress toward the long-term goal of growth. Celebrations can come in many forms, such as throwing a party or acknowledging team and individual achievements. Celebrating the wins lets employees know that their efforts are paying off and that they are on the right track. Celebrating successes reinforces the idea that working hard and embracing change is critical to the company’s success, inspiring employees to continue being productive.
Monitor Progress and Make Adjustments
Lastly, monitor progress and make adjustments where necessary. Have clear objectives from the start, and measure progress through regular check-ins. If there are any hiccups, help your team pivot to get back on track. Monitoring progress and making adjustments enables you to more confidently follow the path to reaching your goals.
During her “Secrets to Leading & Implementing Change” course, Samantha Toth shares our in-depth tips and tricks. This course is designed to help individuals understand specific strategies to overcome the difficulties of implementing change in their businesses. If you want to book Samantha for an event or private training for your business, check out her availability calendar.