Nancy E. Sommer, COO/Chief HR Officer, Holman & Frenia, P.C.

It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder
for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present.
And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg.
We must be hatched or go bad. —C. S. Lewis

Change involves moving from the known to the unknown individually and collectively. Uncertain challenges and outcomes naturally make this a test within us. Change may affect your confidence, competencies, coping abilities, and sense of self-worth. Individuals and organizations generally do not support change unless compelling reasons convince them to do so. Competitive pressures, market opportunities, industry trends, financial challenges, or quality and service goals may be pushing your organization to change or enhance current processes, procedures, or departmental functions. Are you considering changes within your company?

Tips for Facilitating Change:

PARTICIPATION: It’s difficult for individuals to resist a change decision in which they participated. Spend some time developing a shared vision by defining the need for change; concrete data should be used to define your problem and the desired change you are looking for. Participant involvement can reduce resistance, obtain commitment, and increase the quality of the change decision.

FACILITATION AND SUPPORT: Identify an internal or external change agent to offer a range of supportive efforts to reduce resistance and facilitate implementation, follow through, and monitoring. When employee fear and anxiety is high, employee coaching and/or new-skills training may facilitate the adjustment and offer support throughout the process.

EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION: Resistance can be reduced with thorough communication with employees, clients, and key stakeholders to help them see the logic of this change. If employees receive the full facts and get any misunderstandings cleared up, resistance will subside. Communication can be achieved through one-on-one discussions, memos, group presentations, scripting, or reports.

Change is your opportunity to make a difference within your organization. If you believe that something can or should be done better, speak-up and bring this to the attention of the individual responsible for the processes or outcomes within your organization. Initiating the change conversation takes a few minutes; sharing in the process and driving solutions is an accomplishment for you, the organization and those you serve. Neither of you can go indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg.

Nancy can be reached at (609) 953-0612 or via  nancy@holmanfrenia.com.