Skippers Project consultants share with MBNews the best practices for change management.
Any change, even when triggered by instantaneous events, develops along a process that takes time. The consultants of Skippers Project share what can be done to manage it effectively within organizations.
How do change processes work?
In companies as in everyday life, any change—positive or negative—affects the expectations of the people who make up an organization. To guide the change process, it is first necessary to ensure that people understand, accept, and implement it in their roles and activities. Change is a journey to be taken together, bearing in mind that some will immediately race ahead to be the first to arrive, while others will lag behind and need support to reach the top.
What are the steps to smoothly manage a change process?
Since the mid-20th century, various approaches to change management have been proposed. They all involve a sequence of phases that start with providing information, continue with further learning and training, lead to the implementation of new practices and organizational arrangements, and—at best—proceed with verification, adjustment, and maintenance of results over time.
Managing change requires focusing on people and involving them in the transition to the new setup. Clear communication, listening to employee opinions, ensuring a full understanding of goals, providing necessary tools (including training), and periodically verifying results and the acceptance of change are essential. Resistance and opposition reactions should be anticipated, as discussed in this article, and strategies to overcome them must be planned. In short, one cannot fall into the trap of “we’ve always done it this way,” risking the sinking of both the ship and the crew.
What does change management consulting involve?
Change management consulting functions as expert support from Skippers. Before starting, they review the navigation plan with the organization’s leaders, help select the best course and approach to follow, check the forecast, assist in preparing crew members who can contribute immediately, and support those requiring more attention. They identify possible obstacles to avoid, suggest tools to use and new equipment to procure, and pinpoint ports on the map to stop and check if they are on the right course, within the timelines and roles established, leading to the destination.
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