WORK SYSTEMS AFFILIATES BLOG

3 Tips for Organizational Change in the Season of Renewal

  

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This time of year, many of us honor traditions that go back several millennia, and some more recent traditions sponsored by chocolate bar companies.  Within each of these, there are metaphors for which we each make our own meaning, and so I will put on the “systemic organizational change” glasses and relate it to those metaphors.

Here are three tips to take away from this season and apply anywhere in your world:

1. Pick one thing to purge – I’m sure there is at least one thing in your organization that doesn’t add value or worse, does damage.  Make a list of these things and pick one to “give up” for a test period of 2 months. Chances are that you will not miss them at the end of that time and choose to permanently make the change. Suggesting the trial period lowers some of the fear people have but gives you an opportunity to demonstrate the value of making the change.
2. Create a fun challenge – Remember the Easter egg hunt of your youth (or earlier today)? It’s much more fun to pursue something of worth than to just to have it given to you. To just present the changes as a finished product versus setting the stage for those involved to find the valuable tidbits of the path forward leaves people disengaged and less likely to embrace the change. Accomplishing the goals through shared (and fun) challenge will ensure that  the change is seen as a sweet thing to be enjoyed.
3. Change comes in waves – Just like the daffodils come first, then the tulips and then the irises, positive change comes in waves. Make sure you notice and appreciate each new bloom of change that happens. And realize that some things have to come before others naturally.  Finally, just like cultivated pansies, don’t be afraid to plant some progress to keep the momentum moving forward.

Enjoy the growing daylight and warmth and the general mood improvement that goes with these. Hopefully this lets everyone be a little more open to new change that will be the seed of growth, ready to harvest in the fall.

Happy Spring!