5 Steps Toward Implementing Change

We all know change is difficult.  Most people do not like change.  Even when people seemingly want a change, there is still a great deal of stress involved in the process.  Fortunately, there are ways to implement change more effectively.  Read on for five steps to help you implement change more effectively.

Bullying people through a change effort may get the job accomplished but at what cost?  We all know change is inevitable yet there are ways to implement change in a humane and considerate way and ways to implement in a not so respectful and considerate way.  I'd like to focus on the positive.  


The first thing you have to remember when implementing change is your employees have not had the time to adjust to the change that you likely have had.  Oftentimes, you have been involved in discussions for months before an actual change is implemented.  As much as you possibly can, provide them time for the change to sink in.  Keep that in mind as you work through the following steps.


1.  Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Communicating more is always better than not communicating at all.  Tell them everything you possible can.  And tell them when there are things you can't share.  They need to be able to trust you through this change.  If there are things you can't share just tell them so but assure them you will share everything you possibly can.  Plan to communicate more frequently.  Plan to tell them the details of the smallest decisions.  


2.  Be aware of your Non-Verbal Communication.
Remember your employees are reading your Non-Verbal Communication as well as your verbal.  During a change effort, your employees are watching you more closely.  When you come out of a meeting with a pained look on your face, they notice.  And they will make up what you don't share.   Be aware of all the communication you are sharing - both verbally and non-verbally.


3.  Make time for fun during the change.  Change is stressful.  Find ways to have fun at work.  Encourage others to have fun.  This could be team outing or a meeting where you provide goofy awards to people.  Ask the team to come up with ways to have fun at work to help all of you get through the change.  

4.  Celebrate Small Wins.  Whether you are implementing a new computer system or preparing for a reorganization, find ways to celebrate as a team.  Keep the focus on the work to be accomplished and reward the smallest successes.  


5.  Keep people focused on the task.  While implementing change you will likely have several, if not many, people that would rather derail the efforts for whatever reason.  Keep the focus on the tasks to be completed each day instead of on the trials and difficulties of implementing the change.  That doesn't mean you ignore the problems but it does mean you help everyone to focus on what is going well rather than what isn't.  


Following these five steps will help immensely in dealing with the change effort.  What steps have you taken to implement change more successfully?  I would love to hear your ideas.


Mari