Leading through Change
Leading through change is tough.
Despite what you may have heard about the economy, there is still quite a bit of uncertainty within the Fortune 100 organizations. They are restructuring, physically moving locations, changing their business focus entirely, possibly even merging with other organizations - any number of those changes can easily become very stressful to the employees.
How do you manage and lead through change most effectively? How do you know what is front of mind with your employees, managers and staff?
First, you must listen to what people are saying is frustrating them. Listen and ask. What issues are popping up now that were not issues previously? Do you have one on one's with everyone on your team? Ask each of them what issues are currently of concern for them due to the specific change- do not lead the discussion or put ideas into their minds. You want to create an open, collaborative environment where everyone, at every level of experience, can voice their opinion about what concerns they have about this new change.
After you know what the common issues and concerns are about the new organizational structure, the merger, the physical move, the new business focus, whatever the change may be, you can address them directly.
As you are leading through change, you want to be cognizant of what your team or organization needs from you. Typically, employees are looking to their managers and leaders for direction, confidence and collaboration. You have to provide the following to your team in a proactive way as you lead through the change.
Education about their new roles, the organizational change
Advocacy for their position and team
Support for their concerns and a place where they can talk about concerns without fear
Career Development- with change comes new job responsibilities, bigger teams and possibly more control over their business segment. People want help evolving within their career.
I offer a Workshop and Presentation with an unscripted question and answer period for this very topic. Click here for Workshop/Presentation details.
As you manage through change in your business, whether it be big or small, remember to acknowledge that most people are naturally afraid of change and you can calm the inherent fear of the unknown by proactively providing a collaborative environment where everyone on your staff, in your organization can voice their concerns. Only then can you truly lead them through the change effectively.