TRAINING & EDUCATION How can you help with change at work?
To meet this first requirement at work - a shared dissatisfaction with the present - we need to identify the problems, weaknesses and irritations that could be fixed by the introduction of a change. We can assist this process by helping people to become more dissatisfied.
How do we do this? By getting people at work to talk about why we need to change our ways, make improvements etc. Now, change may be forced on us by many things, including technological advances, new legislation, economic or environmental considerations - including, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Note how the government imposed the Tier system across the UK in late 2020. This was one example of how our leaders use legislation to help us to become sufficiently dissatisfied with our present situation that we want to change our behaviour - and beat the Coronavirus.
The more we believe in the restrictions, the more we become frustrated and dissatisfied with the people who ignore them. Our desire to conform to the restrictions becomes greater, and our tolerance of the poor behaviour of others is reduced. We have learned that the example of leaders is key also!
Second Requirement: A vision of the future that all can see clearly
The National Lottery had a clear vision and simple key messages that were promoted in the mass media. The Lottery was even supported by HM Government. The promotional campaign just had to stress how easy it was to play, how cheap it was, how huge the prizes were and how we were simultaneously donating to good causes. Irresistible.
How can you help?
To meet this second requirement at work - a vision of the future - we need to ensure that all affected by the change can see
The more we believe in the restrictions, the more we become frustrated and dissatisfied with the people who ignore them. Our desire to conform to the restrictions becomes
”
greater, and our tolerance of the poor behaviour of others is reduced
themselves being successful in the new ways of working - from the outset. Then successful again all through any transition period, and finally - working successful after the change(s) have taken place. You may need to work with people who need convincing; a few may even be hostile to the idea, but several will be all for the change(s) from the beginning.
Third Requirement: A route to goal
The National Lottery had a clear route to its goal. The promotional campaign started early, everyone knew what to expect and there were no surprises.
How can you help?
To meet this third requirement at work (a route to goal), we need to ensure that all affected by the change know how we will transition from the current (old) way of working to the new way. This might mean scheduling short meetings to get across key messages about what will change, and what will stay the same.
The route should also take in the training or development needed by people so they can be productive straight after the change. Regular one-to-one meetings with individuals and teams should be held - where progress can be celebrated, and problems raised and resolved.
Fourth Requirement: A plan with dates
The National Lottery had a plan with dates. Everyone could see the massive infrastructure developing. Machines started appearing in convenience stores, newsagents, supermarkets etc. Thankfully for the UK, other countries had pioneered lotteries on a massive scale. The first modern lottery was launched in Puerto Rico in 1934. The first lottery in the UK (called the Million Adventure) was run in 1694 during the reign of William and Mary. The UK in 1994 could pick and mix from the best lottery systems around the world.
How can you help?
To meet this fourth requirement at work - a plan with dates - we need to ensure that all the dates, or milestones, in the change programme are known to everyone. Actual events with actual dates.
Questions you might ask include: When do we start the change programme? When does the change programme end? When do we review our progress during the programme? How do we go about changing dates if there is any slippage?
So, whether you are a team leader or a team member who wants to make a difference, I wish you good luck with the communication and implementation of change at work. You can do it!
© 2020 Frank Newberry
If you have questions about communication at work and in your career, you can reach Frank Newberry at his personal website
www.franknewberry.com. Just click on the Contact tab
PC February/March 2021
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