Change

Metamorphosis…a change in the form and habits of an animal during normal development after the embryonic stage. We most often think about this change happening to butterflies and frogs.

Maybe not quite as dramatic, but change can also happen for humans in organizations as they experience change in how the work is done.

Managing change in an organization means supporting those who find themselves uncomfortable with the metamorphosis. Learning how to go from what you know and are comfortable with to the new reality. Not everyone makes the change easily. It takes a commitment from management to support and provide the resources that your staff need during change.

There are many ways to support those in the organization who are undergoing change. Here are a few ideas:

Address the fear upfront. What are people in the organization afraid of? Sometimes its the threat of losing their job. Other times, its losing the familiar as they learn the new. And many times, it’s the fear of failure or looking bad in front of others. Be aware that not everyone is comfortable making the change without some trial and error and a safe place to practice.
Communicate. It’s easy to underestimate the amount of communication that must occur. We think that just telling someone that the change is positive that it’s going to make the change easy. Nothing could be further from the truth. You must let people know in advance that change is coming and WHAT it will MEAN to them. And as the change occurs, regular updates are a must. Keep in mind that unless you are open and forthcoming, people will make up stories and consequences to address their own fears. You must be constantly on the lookout for falsehoods and insecurities coming from the people in your organization.
Provide support. Make sure you have support systems in place to address questions and concerns. Address the changes during staff meetings, lunch-and-learns, and special training classes. The more you provide support during the change, the more effective your change activities will be.

If putting these strategies in place in your organization is a challenge, we can provide support and coaching to your management staff. Give us a call to find out how we can help you transform from a tadpole to a frog.