Changemaking: Tactics and Resources for Managing Organizational Change

the merger offers the opportunity for significant synergies leading to cost savings”; or, “this acquisition fills an important gap in our product range

The elements of effective change are simple: be clear about purpose and process; listen to and involve stakeholders; provide needed resources; align systems and processes to support the change; lead with clarity and involvement; communicate relentlessly; track progress; follow up; and course-correct. That’s it.

clarity, engagement, resources, alignment, leadership, communication, and tracking) provide a framework in which change can be successfully managed.

applying these “levers of persuasion” to build buy-in takes time. That, in part, is why the memo-and-conference-call approach so often runs into resistance. It doesn’t allow sufficiently for the process of learning and adaptation

But for all that employees see and understand what’s happening on the front lines, they need control and certainty. They want resources, information, and support.

Some business leaders create change; others respond. But all have to manage it.