Change can be supported on three basic principles.
The first one addresses the human side of change.
Think that any transformation of significance
will create people issues.
For example, new leaders will be asked to step up, jobs will be changed,
new skills and new capabilities must be developed
and people will be uncertain and will resist.
Dealing with these issues on a reactive, case-by-case basis
puts speed, moral and results at risk.
It is important to remember
that people will be responsible for success or failure.
Engaging stakeholders, involving staff in planning and decision making,
and communicating effectively are vital throughout the whole process.
The second principle is regarding the leader him or herself.
Leaders are key pieces of change and they have the responsibility
to be involved with every process and with everybody.
The leadership must change. First, to challenge and motivate
the rest of the organization, speaking with one voice
and "walking the talk" to model desired behaviors.
At the same time,
individual executive team members are going
through their own personal changes and they need to be supported,
so that they can be in agreement with their executive team members.
Leader teams that work well together,
that are aligned and committed to the direction of change,
that understand the culture and behaviors intended to be introduced
and that can model those changes themselves,
are best positioned for success.
And finally, learning.
Learning and providing opportunities for feedback will allow
a dynamic and emergent approach.
Communication is both outbound and inbound.
It should be targeted so as to provide employees
the right information at the right time,
to ask for their input and feedback
and to check on their emotional response
to what they have heard.
Change programs often require over-communication
through multiple, redundant channels.
However, communication must be timed,
coordinated, consistent and personal.
The best change leaders speak from the heart
and convey a deep sense of personal commitment.