There are hundreds of best-selling books offering a magic formula and concrete steps for how you should approach organisational change. These books include good old-fashioned formulas for success, and inform on leadership skills that leaders need to hone in order to manage change more effectively. Despite this, we constantly hear that change is difficult, that organisations and their people struggle with change, and finally that the outcome is not always bringing the expected benefits, despite the huge organisational costs associated. So, why is this?
A Problem with Addressing Change at a Surface Level
Among many reasons, two, in particular, stand out: first, as human beings, our brains have evolved to resist change because it implies uncertainty and doubt; second, we address most changes with mechanical (and often superficial) change management approaches, where change is treated as a technical add-on to an old mindset. Both reasons apply at an individual level, and if we’re talking about a team or an organisation, these reasons are amplified by members in that structure. It becomes complex! Change may seem impersonal, but it becomes deeply sensitive and personal, and this is where it often fails.
Let’s take an example of how our brains may resist change in the context of organisations. Implementing a simple change, such as requesting a department to follow a new procedure to add important regulatory controls, may cause alarm bells for everyone in the team. It’s a reasonable request that should result in clearer processes and better governance; however, for the team members, various scenarios pop up with dire consequences, such as a risk of micromanagement, eventual loss of control, or even a job loss. Once accustomed to the idea of change, the team members may finally overcome the initial fear of uncertainty, and yet, despite the efforts, the team repeatedly fails to consistently comply with parts of the procedure. Now it may seem that the team is holding one foot on the accelerator pedal and the other on the brakes! Many of us can relate to similar struggles with workplace change, be it a request for behavioural improvement, implementing a new process or system, a reorganisation, or M&A.
You Can Stop Struggling with Organisational Change
Fortunately, there is a more effective way to approach such change challenges rather than only focusing on mechanical and often superficial change management steps. It is about addressing change from a perspective of developing a new mindset around it. A qualified executive coach can work with teams and help them approach change at a much deeper level than what typical change management or training on new technical skills would focus on. This is done by supporting teams to evoke individual and collective awareness, and to examine their covert commitments and limiting beliefs that may hold them back if left unaddressed. There are different ways to surface and deal with these commitments and limiting beliefs, and I would highly recommend the acclaimed Immunity To ChangeTM method developed by Harvard Professors Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey, as I have personally experienced and witnessed in many others the transformational power and lasting impact of this method.
Ultimately, understanding what is holding you & your team back so that you can embrace change is absolutely essential and is the bedrock upon which you can make major leaps towards forming a new growth mindset. With this new mindset, change and improvement happen, and this turns into a positive new way of doing things, propelling you forward with all the benefits of a successful transformation.
Now that you know it’s possible, how would you like to be the next organisation to stop struggling with change?
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me to learn how the Immunity To ChangeTM mapping workshops and coaching sessions could help you and your team hit the accelerator for change, and propel your organisation forward towards a true transformation.
Jurgita Kolosinskaite is a highly experienced Strategic HR Expert as well as Leadership and Executive Coach, accredited by International Coaching Federation and trained in Immunity To ChangeTM method by Minds at Work.
