Master Change With These Four Simple Steps

Regardless of the size of your change effort, you can master change with these four simple steps. Identifying roadblocks, communicating change, managing resources, and handling emotions are all critical aspects of successful change implementation. Read on to discover what these four steps are and how you can apply them to your project or workgroup. The next part of the article will focus on the first two: identifying roadblocks and managing resources.

Identifying roadblocks
Identifying roadblocks to master change is one of the most important aspects of managing change within your team. Identifying and mitigating these roadblocks will help you lead by example, and help your team achieve its objectives. Sometimes, a roadblock will sneak up on your team when it is least expected. For example, certain projects require collaboration from other departments or teams. If you fail to flag these dependencies, your project can get thrown off track and suffer from a domino effect - one misstep can throw the whole project into a tailspin.

In addition to the most common roadblocks, you may also encounter less-common types of resistance. For example, the "won't" roadblock was most often reported by respondents. Interestingly, the reason for low motivation is more likely to be the lack of personal meaning and tangible rewards. Another common roadblock was "not allowed." In that case, a lack of managerial support and training was a major contributor.

Managing resources
Managing resources effectively is an essential skill for successful change management. While most organizations are working with limited resources, overscheduling leads to turnover and burnout. In addition to managing resource allocation, resource management is the key to building team member satisfaction and customer trust. It requires granular insights and clear expectations. In addition, managers need to keep track of progress and communicate those expectations with team members. The following are tips for maximizing the effectiveness of your resources.

Organize your project by creating a resource management plan. It can be as simple as Excel or can be as sophisticated as hundreds of software programs. Resource planning helps you track the progress of long-term projects and provides a central location to gather information. For example, resource planning helps you identify the optimal number of project resources. A resource breakdown structure helps you prioritize tasks and determine the level of availability of resources. In addition, a resource plan also identifies the hierarchy among resources.

Communicating change
Communication of change should be regular and thorough, and include multiple venues. Change communications are most effective if the manager or leader is available to answer questions and concerns. Be sure to be honest in answering questions, and to be clear and consistent. Make the change personal to employees. Your employees will be most interested in how the change will affect them personally. You can do this by arranging one-on-one meetings with managers. Make sure they know how to ask tough questions.

Once the change has been approved, communication efforts should begin. Key communication contacts should be briefed on the changes and be prepared to provide support. The content and graphics should be consistent and purposeful. Identify which channels will be most effective for the desired effect. The most effective communication methods can be different for different audiences. Consider the following tips when communicating change to your employees. If you are concerned that communication channels may conflict, try implementing several channels to ensure that everyone is aware of the change.

Managing emotions
Managing emotions is one of the most powerful tools you can use in life. Your emotions are real, and contain important information that you can use to your advantage. The best way to deal with your emotions is to experience them fully and choose to respond positively. This is a skill you can develop with the help of Tony Robbins' Ultimate Edge. By consciously choosing what to do when you experience your emotions, you can better manage your life.

Taking the time to identify the causes of your feelings can help you manage your reactions. For example, if you feel anxious because you are undergoing a change, try to identify the source of your feelings so that you can determine the best course of action. You may need to start a new hobby or set aside time each day to reflect on your feelings. You may also want to talk to a trusted person to get advice or help.