Gustav Mahler (Austrian composer and conductor)

Change management is like conducting!

 

Change management is not just about big projects. Every day, managers and team leaders all over the world, conduct their people through countless small changes. Sometimes these changes are temporary, sometimes permanent, sometimes they are well thought through, sometimes the thinking takes place as the changes happen.

Whatever change you are heading up this week, there are three simple rules to follow:

  • As soon as you are able, communicate what is going to happen and why
  • Know there will be resistance from some quarters, and ride it
  • Seek feedback – not on whether the change is a good idea, or whether it should be reversed, but talk to people about how the change is affecting them and how they are seeking to adapt

Philip Maggs

Further reading

Don’t overlook everyday change management