Change--Don't Just Let it Happen

Source: Inspired Ideas

Tamera Loerzel says just letting change happen is too stressful. Here are some excerpts from her list of "must do's:"

• You can enroll those who like--or at least readily embrace--change to lead the way for others who may need someone else to "test the waters" and tell them it's ok. Listen to those who are more cautious because they will have some good questions and "what ifs" to consider.
• Consider a multi-facetted platform to communicate your change orally in meetings, in one-on-one conversations and in writing through email announcements or newsletter updates. In your change communications consider including:
  • Risks of not making the change.
  • What new opportunities will arise because of the change.
  • How you will know that you've achieved the desired change.
  • What role each person will play in making the change.
• Check in with individuals to see how they are adapting to the change, let them share feedback or suggestions they might have, and give them an opportunity to express their concerns especially if they are someone who is slow to adopt change.
• If you are the one instituting change, or if your style is to readily embrace change, you might find that you have to remember that change is a process and does take time. In addition, sometimes you have to be willing to make alternate plans or change direction because unknown issues or new facts arise during the change process. You'll also find that listening to others and letting them input to the process--while it may take longer or end up looking different than you originally thought--will expand the opportunities you anticipated would arise because of the change.

For the complete blog entry, click here.

Tamera Loerzel is a partner of ConvergenceCoaching, LLC, a national leadership and marketing consulting firm dedicated to helping CPA and IT firms achieve success by helping them develop and implement leadership, succession, and marketing plans.

From ConvergenceCoaching, LLC Inspired Ideas, http://blog.convergencecoaching.com/, August 12, 2009, "Are You Managing Change?"