Change Models = Predictability

In business, sales, investments, and change, I'm a fan of predictability.

While it's impossible to control all variables, to head into the wilderness of your company's change without the map and compass of a formal system, is a surefire way to get lost.

As Search And Rescue experts are called, reactively, to assist lost adventurers, Change Management Consultants (like me 🙋‍♂️) perform similarly for organizations.

That said, there's beauty and benefit in preparing, for a trek in the woods and for business changes, proactively.

I explored 15 areas where a change model can guide organizations and their leaders in my LinkedIn posts this week (9/5/23-9/8/23).

Of those, the following 3 are key to the foundation and benefit.

1️⃣ Structured approach

Similar to Project Management or the steps of a sales process, a systematic framework guides you through each stage of change.

It ensures careful planning, efficiency of resource allocation, and realistic timelines, and helps build the confidence of your teams and stakeholders.

Leaders will be able to proactively identify and address potential challenges, mitigating risk, and reducing the chances of delays and their costs.

With structure comes transparency, and a stage that's set for a smoother transition with higher chances of achieving the goals.

2️⃣ Identifying resistance

While it's not the only response, recognizing and addressing resistance is crucial for successful change management.

No matter the reason, whether apprehension, uncertainty, or other, formal models help leaders spot resistance early, pinpoint the source, and tailor strategies accordingly.

Ignore resistance and you're likely to encounter decreases in engagement, morale, and productivity.

Manage it actively, and you can transform skeptics into advocates, ensuring a more enjoyable and productive change journey.

3️⃣ Clear communication plans

Effective communication is vital for change initiatives. Without its clarity and consistency, employees feel left in the dark, leading to confusion and resistance.

Formal change management models emphasize creating communication plans, helping employees, throughout the organization, stay informed and engaged.

Conveying the what, how, and why of change fosters transparency, builds trust, and supports a positive change culture.

Employees that are heard, and informed, are more likely to feel motivated to support change efforts, making this a key driver of successful change management.