Organisational change is a stressful time for managers, leaders and employees. It can bring uncertainty about the future, job security, and responsibilities. This can lead to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and a higher turnover.
However, it is possible to make organisational change a positive experience for employees. My experience as a Project Manager in Government organisations tells me that by following these tips, you can help your staff stay happy and engaged throughout the change process:
- Communicate early and often. Get a greats Comms team. The more information employees have about the change, the less likely they are to feel anxious. Be transparent about the reasons for the change, the timeline, and the impact it will have on all employees.
- Involve employees in the planning process. Simple Stakeholder management. When employees feel like they have a say in the change, they are more likely to feel ownership over it and be more supportive. Ask for their feedback on the proposed changes and consider their suggestions.
- Provide training and support. Learning and Development. If the change involves a new process or technology, make sure employees have the training they need to be successful. You may also want to offer support services, such as counselling or coaching, to help employees cope with the stress of change.
- Celebrate successes along the way. Start a monthly newsletter. As the change process unfolds, take the time to acknowledge the successes of employees. This will help to keep them motivated and engaged.
- Be patient and understanding. Rome was not built in a day. Change takes time. Don’t expect employees to adjust overnight. Be patient and understanding as they go through the process.
By following these tips, you can help your staff stay happy and engaged throughout the organisational change process. If you need a system to enagge with all these points, my SLAP technique works a charm. This will lead to a smoother transition and a more successful outcome for your organisation.
If you’d like some more tips for making staff happier through organisational change:
- Be clear about the benefits of the change. What are the specific ways that the change will improve the organisation and more importantly for the employees’ work lives?
- Address employees’ concerns. What are the specific things that employees are worried about? Keep an on going poll. Take the time to answer their questions and address their concerns.
- Empower employees. Give employees the opportunity to participate in the change process and to make decisions about how it will affect their work. Put working groups together.
- Provide resources. Make sure that employees have the resources they need to be successful during the change process, such as training, support, and technology.
- Celebrate successes. As the change process unfolds, take the time to celebrate the successes of employees and the organisation. This will help to keep everyone motivated and engaged. Organise out of the office team meetings or evenings out.
By following these tips, you can help to make organisational change a positive experience for your staff. This will lead to a smoother transition and a more successful outcome for your organisation. If you’d like to know more then please do contact me.