We are in an era of organizational re-design and rebirth. Whether it’s new working arrangements or new ways of doing business/ministry, things are not what they used to be. Thank (or blame) the pandemic. Here we are.
However, the dynamics of how change works has not changed. Change impacts structures and processes but it’s humans that carry out the change. To declare change without paying attention to the human element of how people process and experience change, is to ultimately struggle through a failed change management process.
Here’s a classic downward spiral that I have seen take place in many organizational change processes. If you see your organizational experience reflected here, know that it’s quite common. My question for you is: What have you seen or experienced that has helped to get you out of this downward spiral? Let’s help each other, and our organizations, move forward.
The Spiral:
DISCUSSION about a sticky area; a place where everyone senses a need for change.
DECLARATION of the intent to do something about it. Sometimes there’s even a ‘plan’.
DELAY in taking action. This often happens because there wasn’t an actual plan in the first place. Delays usually mean people…
DEFER to the old ways/patterns of acting. When people realize promised change isn’t happening, the result is often a…
DECLINE of confidence that the system, or leadership’s commitment to change is real.
DISCOURAGEMENT sets in and sometimes people begin to depart - not necessarily via actual resignation from the job, but a resignation to a status quo environment. Leave a person in that state too long and it results in a…
DROP in both productivity and engagement[1]. After all, why take the initiative to change and improve if the system you are in, won’t?
Please share your thoughts & ideas in the comments. Help us all move forward toward positive change.
Harv
[1] 85% of employees are not engaged at work. According to Gallup's recent State of the Workplace report, a significant proportion of employees are not fully engaged in their work. Specifically, 85% of employees are either unengaged or actively disengaged. Dec 22, 2022
