Four Tactics To Manage Through Change

An unwritten truth in large organizations is that the only constant is change. But as the US’s largest employer faces widespread transformation, even the most seasoned leaders may find that their usual leadership playbooks no longer apply.

As a small resource for those leading teams during this time of big uncertainty, I’ve rounded up Forrester’s top-read resources on change tactics and leadership to help you guide your teams on their change journeys.

Implement These Four Tactics Now

• Define your sphere of control. Successful transformations happen from the middle out, which means that middle managers have a critical role to play. Identify the decisions and actions that are within your control, and coach employees to do the same.
• Create a continuous cycle of listening and response. Determine who will represent the face of the change within your organization and provide a single source of truth for questions. Then leverage a consistent, continuous cadence of communication to build and reinforce trust through transparency.
• Embrace uncertainty (with empathy). As your employees navigate their personal change experience, they may find themselves somewhere between shock and uncertainty. Uncertainty often leads to anxiety, so work to minimize the unknown by identifying and resolving points of uncertainty, big or small, wherever possible.
• Prepare for the future. When changes come fast, it can be hard to break out of reactive mode. Carve out time for proactive planning, including:

• • • • Near-term prioritization. How will we maintain mission-critical functions if program capacity is reduced?

• • • • Strategic communication. If a new leader steps in tomorrow, how will we communicate the strategic value of our work?

• • • • Realignment. As new priorities become clear, how will we align activities and resources to maximize impact?

Read Forrester’s Essential Research On Change Leadership

• Be The Change Leader Your Organization Needs
  Understand the human experience of change to drive better business outcomes.
• A Leader’s Guide To Communicating In A Time Of Constant Change
  Communication through change can determine the success or failure of a change initiative — and leaders play a starring role in how that change communication happens.
• Use Leadership Storytelling To Create Meaning In A World Of Uncertainty And Chaos
  Learn how storytelling helps future fit leaders guide their organizations and teams to navigate continuing uncertainty.
• Understand The Difference Between Change And Transformation
  All transformations involve change, but not all change is transformative.
• First 90 Days: Leader Of A New (Or Recently Reorganized) Team
  Whenever there is a significant change to the teams you lead, it’s worth taking a step back and assessing the capabilities, culture, careers, and communication of the people who report to you.

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