Ready to implement change? These tips will help you get started.
8 Ways to Implement Change
Change is an inescapable reality of the workplace and in life. Finding ways to thrive in times of change can help you in all aspects. By following these principles of change, you may be pleasantly surprised at how others will perceive and receive the change.
1. Create urgency
Tell others why it matters. If they don’t see an immediate reason for change, why should they push for it? Therefore, creating urgency helps fight against complacency.
2. Build a team who will support and communicate the change
Building a group of people behind you to support, guide, and communicate the change will help you gather strength in your change efforts.
3. Create the vision for change
Clearly articulate the vision of what the change will look like. Explain what the change will look like and how it affects them. By having action steps, you can see what you need to fulfill the vision.
4. Communicate the vision
Once you create the vision, share it. Treat the vision like a movement and communicate it with as many as you can. The more people who know about it, the more they can get on board.
5. Get rid of barriers that get in your way
Figure out what is in your way of a successful change effort. What could be a barrier in the future? Do what you can to remove those barriers.
6. Celebrate short-term wins
Celebrating short-term wins feels good. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but rather in steps. Generate energy and enthusiasm for the change effort at each step. This will create a positive attitude to keep meeting goals.
7. Continue the momentum
It’s easy to quit or slow down after a few small wins and celebrations, but that is the time to keep charging ahead. Remember the vision, and keep moving ahead until the vision becomes reality.
8. Institute change
Once the change has been created and the vision has become reality, establish connections between the new behaviors and habits associated with the change and success.
Concordia University’s Doctor of Business Administration
Organizational Performance and Change is one of the concentrations in CUW’s Doctor of Business Administration program. The first course that students take in that concentration is Leading Transformation and Change. The above principles are based on John Kotter’s book, “Leading Change,” which is discussed in the course, as well as models, theories, and real-life applications from many other scholars.
If want to learn more about CUW’s DBA program, you can find more information HERE.
— Dr. Jennifer Knowles, serves as assistant professor of business in the DBA program at Concordia University Wisconsin-Ann Arbor.
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