Change is hard. Especially during times of unplanned disruption such as the Coronavirus and impacts from COVID-19. Some of you may be saying “duh!” Though many people underestimate how challenging change can be. Anyone who tells themselves change is easy has never lived through it or is choosing to pull the wool over their eyes.

Change deals with transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations from a current state to a desired future state – the unknown. The unknown makes most people a bit anxious. Your business success depends on their success. If your organization is going through a change or the unknown, as many are in our current environment, then reducing the anxieties and resistance of your people matters to success.

This is normal (even in the ‘new normal’) – though not an easy process for people to go through. Change itself is a process – managing it, leading it, achieving it is a process. It’s important to consider change with realistic expectations – change can be hard for people both professionally and personally – so the sooner you begin to plan for and manage this, the more likely your efforts will be a success.

Here are 7 tips to help you focus on the people side of change:

The best-laid plans

Of course, a strong change management plan is needed. But, a plan is just shelfware without any action. ACTION is imperative. A plan alone is not enough. A good change management plan must account for governance, communications, training, and ongoing support. The plan needs to be realistic, actionable, and customizable. It needs to account for and align with other change initiatives and projects. The plan also needs to be implemented by those skilled in change management in collaboration with trusted stakeholders throughout the organization. Most importantly the plan, like those leaders and stakeholders executing the plan, must remain agile and flexible. Course correction is often needed. Remaining flexible during change is key to successful change management and achieving your goals. “You can have a plan, but you have to be flexible. “Everyday is unpredictable, and you just have to go with the flow.” – Jane Krakowski

Leader does not equal change agent

Just because you’re in a leadership role doesn’t make you a good change agent. Sorry Mr. or Ms. Executive, it may be your budget, it may even be your idea, but that doesn’t mean you’ve got the time or the skills to lead – or micromanage – the change effort. Yes, leadership needs to be involved, trusted leadership, leadership with the immense time to commit to success, leadership open to learning additional skills, leaders who can check ego, respected leadership, trusted leadership, and leadership who can show empathy and patience. Title and position alone shouldn’t guarantee a seat at the change management table. “The best leaders begin with an environment that embraces and rewards change and innovation.” – Lynne Doughtie

Resistance will happen

Most people are inherently change adverse. Especially when unplanned disruptions hurl change upon them. Even those of us who don’t fear change, or are paid to lead it, don’t always like change. Resistance is natural. If you really want your change to be a success, then you must find a way to engage the resisters and harness their energy in a positive way. This also helps enhance the employee experience and reduce turnover from The Great Resignation. You can’t expect resistance not to happen and you can’t ignore it when it does. The concerns of these people, or small groups, must be addressed before others start to follow. And yes, if all else fails, sometimes this may mean removing people from the project or even the organization. “Things change. I used to have a real resistance to it and hold onto things, but let things happen and go with it, and you will actually go through it, and it’s a lot less stressful.” – Mike D

Don’t be afraid of the muck

Change is dirty, it’s messy, and the road can be bumpy. Embrace the muck. Prepare for time in the Neutral Zone. Roll up your sleeves. You’ll hit roadblocks, you’ll hit hurdles…ram through them and jump over them. Perseverance and persistence are imperative to success. Like Michael Jordan said, “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

You are what you do

Leaders and change agents must embody the values and changes they want employee and stakeholder groups to adopt. Being a leader doesn’t exempt you from having to deal with the change yourself – personally and professionally. It’s necessary that leadership serves as role models. Mean what you say and do what you mean. They are watching! To be a role model, embrace change, exemplify the best of what the change is all about, lead by example. “I’m just trying to go out there and play the game the right way and lead by example.” – Billy Butler

If at first you don’t succeed

Most people don’t like to hear this – but it’s the truth – change may not stick the first time. Yes, I know, you spent all that time and effort and money. But don’t be afraid to adapt or tweak your process, your framework, or the players involved. Every organization is different, every culture is different, and change management frameworks should be flexible and adapted to best suit the organization and type of change. Never give up the first time around. If things don’t go as planned, discuss and analyze, take a hard look at what went wrong and how. Don’t toss things aside and just move on. Develop lessons learned and saddle up and keep on riding the change journey. Remember, “Perseverance is stubbornness with a purpose. – Josh Shipp

Change takes time

Some change can happen faster than others – but almost no change can be immediate. If you find a magic wand to wave to make that happen please let me know. Like Kotter says, ‘quick wins.’ However, change overall, particularly deep culture change or transformational change, can’t happen overnight. You need to set realistic expectations regarding the timing of completion and realistic expectations regarding milestones and measurements of success. And whatever you do – don’t give up midway through the process! “Change isn’t easy, it takes time.” – Caroline Kennedy

Change Management Services

Many organizations overlook or under devote resources to the people side of a change effort. It’s sad! Especially when the workforce, the people, are the folks impacted. It has repercussions and negative impacts. It’s also unnecessary. Don’t be that organization that fails to devote time and resources to the people side of change. Especially when your people are already dealing with unplanned change and disruption. Your people are your most valuable and expensive asset. Stop wasting time, money, and effort. Ensure your project is a success. Ensure the long term success of your business with a positive employee experience and customer experience. Focus on the people – and not just during times of change – but all the time.

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About Scott Span, MSOD, CSM: is CEO at Tolero Solutions. As a people strategist, leadership coach, and change and transformation specialist, his work is focused on people. Through his consulting and training work he supports clients to survive and thrive through change and transition and create people-focused cultures and a great employee experience. Through his coaching work, he supports people willing to dig deeper to identify and overcome what’s holding them back, change behaviors, accelerate performance and achieve their goals.