“Adapt or die” say the rules of evolution, and what brilliant rules they are. You only need to take a glimpse at companies such as Blockbuster to see what happens when companies refuse to change and evolve with the times – they become irrelevant and die. However, changing your company requires a leader who can lead effectively in times of change, something which is easier said than done.
Nonetheless, if you’re a corporate leader who’s looking to strengthen their change management skills, read on for some of our top tips!
Keep your eyes on the prize
When your company is in the midst of a big transformation, it can be easy to lose sight of the end goal among all the chaos that inevitably ensues. As a result, it is essential for a leader to remain purpose-driven and always have the overarching goal in mind. Doing this encourages you to stay on target, which in turn encourages your employees to stay on target. The routes to your end goal may not be apparent at first, but they will soon present themselves if you remain driven and determined to succeed at the finish line.
Communicate clearly, consistently, and effectively
The last thing you need during times of change is miscommunication, a phenomenon which remains prevalent among many companies today despite the vast cornucopia of communication tools we have available to us in the 21st century. Be sure to communicate with your team effectively throughout the changes, updating them on any processes which need to be amended as quickly as possible. This is not only good from a practical standpoint; it allows you to form great relationships with your team over time.
Persist relentlessly
As the leader of a corporate environment which is undergoing a serious change, it is imperative that you foster an air of persistence and stamina among your employees, encouraging them to keep calm and carry on when things get tough and tempers start to flare. If you’re going through a major change in your organization, you’re going to need to perform lots of little changes before you get there, and it can be easy for employees to lose sight of the end goal when they’re too busy being harassed by the problems which smaller goals may create.
If you want your organization to dramatically change, you need to be able to weather the storm that’s going to come with it. During this storm, you must act as the rock that holds the entire organization together, steamrolling ahead when times are tough, all the while having the beneficial meta-transformation in your sights.
Leading effectively in times of change is all about setting the tone for the period of change which is to come. When you speak to your employees, try to use positive language which connotates optimism and innovation – “yes it’s going to be challenging for a couple of months, but it’ll all be worth it in the end!” After all, if you can’t manage to lead your employees through times of change and transformation, how will you handle it when things are more mundane?
-Todd
Todd Ringleman
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