As Guest Blogger, and Director of Unlike Before, Deanne Earle says in her post below, never mind that change is constant, it's the speed of it that we need to manage. The tips she offers should prove very helpful for all of us. Change is not going to get any slower! We all need to learn ways of accepting and adapting to constant change that hits us every day. Otherwise, we can soon find ourselves drained through sheer change fatigue, demotivated and struggling with slipping morale.
The social media phenomenon, like Deanne says, rides the wave of change capitalising on the power of its instant impact. But even social media is undergoing its own rapid change evolution.
A recent Forrester report by Jeremiah Owyang [The Future of the Social Web: April 2009] shows that phenomenon or not, social experience on the web is still disjointed because we have separate identities in each social network we visit. This is the Era of Social Functionality. Soon, the report says, we will move evolve towards the Era of Social Colonisation, then Social Context and ultimately Social Commerce. And when we arrive there, this is what will happen .... "Socially connected consumers will strengthen communities and shift power away from brands and CRM systems; eventually this will result in empowered communities defining the next generation of products." There's a long way to run yet in the social media change path by the looks of it! Exhilarating but bone-chilling!
In the workplace, as Harvard Business Review noted only this week, handling change is a critical skill for leaders grappling with the external forces of change on their companies. As they say, if the leader of a beleaguered company impacted by the forces of change "is not thinking and performing at his or her best, how can the rest of the company be expected to?"! They also offer a few tips for change-embattled leaders showing them how to ride the 'Mood Elevator' to the top and stay there.
Take a quick look too at this YouTube clip from Futurist Patrick Dixon lecturing on the Speed of Change. We all know about yesterday he says, "you tell me tomorrow". That's today's global challenge!
So, here's a quick glimpse at Deanne's very handy tips for effective change. If you want to download her full e-Book 10 Tangible Tips for Effective Change, just click the link here. For more practical information and tools on change, you can go straight to Deanne's consultancy website at Unlike Before.
Change is constant that much we know. It's the speed of it that makes effective change critical and planning for what may happen next imperative. Just look at the effect social networking tools like Twitter and Facebook are having; anyone anywhere can make their opinion available to everyone on anything at anytime effecting change instantaneously. Phenomenal!
So how best to manage and lead effective change within business? First consider the following:
- What form does effective change management take in your organisation now? and
- What experience are those on the receiving end actually having as a result?
Objectively considering these questions provides a unique opportunity to increase the speed of change while keeping it appropriate for your organisation and its people. There is no 'one size fits all' solution. Good change needs proven techniques. These techniques are not rocket science but occasionally we need reminding of the basics. These 10 tips take us back to basics to revitalise perspective, reduce pain and accelerate the pace of achievement.
Tip 1 - Get clear on the Objective
SMART objectives = Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, with a specified Time for completion. Take an honest look at the input used to specify them. Treat it like a balloon; twist and expand it every way possible keeping the organizations needs central at all times.
Tip 2 - Assess all Strengths & Weaknesses
Managers know the purpose and importance of a SWOT Analysis. Pretend it's an onion and peel layer after layer to expose the SWOT results. Leave nothing unpeeled to expose previously undiscovered gems and limit the unexpected.
Tip 3 - Plan, Plan, Plan
Like a jigsaw puzzle a plan has many components. Know what they are, their interrelationship, responsibilities for delivery, success measures, and tactics for the unexpected or non-eventualities. Not everything fits perfectly so have a plan of action for the bits that won't fit.
Tip 4 - Walk the Talk
Be careful what you ask for. Operate with integrity at all times and don't expect others to buy-in when paid lip-service. Do as I Do not Do as I Say.
Tip 5 - Knowledge is Power
Watch and listen. Observation is a powerful skill that strengthens trust reducing the belief that to share knowledge is to give up power. Be genuine in attempts to increase comfort levels and maximise knowledge sharing.
Tip 6 - Listen with an open mind
Listen to what isn't said. Leave pre-conceived ideas aside and be open to another's view. It may not affect the immediate situation but it could encourage a different response in the future.
Tip 7 - Learn to Juggle
Be flexible and pragmatic during delivery. Adapt to situations before or as they arise and collaborate with others to relieve the pressure and ease the way forward.
Tip 8 - Stay on Track
When reviewing progress check the direction as well as the destination. If the purpose has shifted or activities are off track don't hesitate, make the necessary adjustments quickly to reduce the chances of waste.
Tip 9 - Make the Tough Decisions
Not all decisions will be easy ones. Sometimes it's the situation rather than the decision that's tough. When faced with a tough decision try the Nike attitude - Just do it!
Tip 10 - Reflect on everything
Managing effective change doesn't end with delivery. Genuine lesson learning requires reflection without judgement or blame. Only when all that's occurred is acknowledged can adjustments be made and the next experience different.
Deanne Earle is Director of Unlike Before. Unlike Before are Business Consultants and Program/Project managers specialising in organisational change and IT-led projects that are complex in nature or in a state of crisis. Deanne and her team are renowned for action; able to show businesses and their people how to make change happen fast visibly, reducing the effects and costs of lost productivity. Check out all the latest from Unlike Before at http://www.unlikebefore.com/.
