Organizational change is not easy. Some efforts succeed and similar efforts fail.
Competencies identified in successful change initiatives – communication, collaboration, and commitment.
These skills provide the necessary connection between the process part of change and the people part of change that can make or break its success.
Leading a change initiative
Make sure you incorporate these key competencies for success:
Communication – Knowing what to say and how to say it to build and sustain commitment to the change
Unsuccessful leaders have a tendency to focus on ‘’what’’ behind the change, successful leaders focus on communicating the ‘’what and the why’’.
The why is critical and focuses on the purpose behind the change effort. Leaders who connected the change to the values of the organization or explained the benefits behind the change were more successful at achieving buy-in and creating a sense of urgency, both of which contribute to successful change outcomes.
Collaboration – Bringing people together to plan and execute the change
Leaders of successful change
- Build teams
- Worked across boundaries
- Encouraged employees to take on responsibilities and tackle challenges
- Break out of their individual silos
- Refuse to tolerate competition
- Creating solutions and ideas on implementing the change
- Include employees early on in the decision-making process
- Describe employees as having a high level of buy-in and can-do attitudes
Commitment – Changing yourself in service of the change goal
Recognize when your beliefs, approaches, and behaviors need to shift based on the effort you are leading – displaying a positive attitude and enthusiasm toward the change.
Be resilient, didn’t give up in the face of adversity or opposition, and step out of comfort zone.
Become role models to the rest of the organization with their ambition, efficiency and positive mindset.
Suresh Shah, Pathfinders Enterprise
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