Your change essentials

Urban myth has it that people don’t like change. It makes us uncertain, insecure, anxious, even afraid. Only bad things come from change, they say. And yet, we move house, change jobs, start and end relationships and try new things all the time.

One of our biggest clients has recently undergone a major organisational restructure and it’s had a big impact on the business and the people we work with.

So here are three essentials to think about when planning any change.

Explain the ‘why’ as well as the ‘what’

Organisations are generally pretty good at explaining the ‘what’. It’s the ‘why’ that’s sometimes missed. Perhaps deliberately because its sensitive, confidential, even controversial and perhaps as an oversight. But tell people why and you’re well on the road to winning minds, if not hearts.  

Make it personal

Everyone’s different. Some sense opportunity when others see only threat. Some need to talk it through whilst others are wondering what the fuss is about. Personalising the change journey for each individual can help enormously in using time well and getting across the ‘what it means for me’.

Get it done!

Yes, change is a constant and organisations who adapt the quickest are often the most successful. But change is made up of many changes and working through each quickly and efficiently minimises the impact on business as usual and can help embed a positive change narrative.

Great communication is the thread that runs through each. Get that right and the challenge will seem much less daunting.