Role of Leadership

Adopting the Change Management Mentality

• The reasons for not adopting the right mindset vary, and most are understandable.

• Many leaders learn through trial and error how to lead effectively during change.

• Unfortunately, their learning curve can be at the expense of the organization.

• Org Solutions worked with a sales executive who had already made several significant changes within his organization prior to engaging us.

•  He reached out for help because he was having difficulty getting his sales team to adopt the changes he'd implemented and couldn't understand why this was.

• As a result, people questioned the change—and ultimately his leadership.

• The above scenario underscores the importance of adopting a change management mentality and the necessary skills to communicate and execute it properly.

Manage the Change or It Will Manage You

• Leaders must manage the change or it will manage them.

• Org Solutions has developed specific strategies to help leaders step into the change management role.

•  To highlight a few of the principles that leaders should embrace when leading through change, consider the following:Clarify the vision and communicate it effectively.

• That means making the most of social media.

• The Harvard Business Review piece cited another study in which nearly three-quarters of employees said their CEO's preferred social media platform allowed them to communicate more directly with the CEO.

• Be accountable and transparent.

• Don't let people question your leadership and the mission of the organization.

Be the Change You Want to See

• Don't abdicate change management to others, such as HR, or leave it to chance because you think people will "get it" the first time.

• You have to take full responsibility, understand the mindset of your team, enlist their support and hold them accountable.

• The role of leadership in change management requires care, communication and commitment.

• As the leader, you are the bridge between your organization and the envisioned change.

• If you understand your role and the expectations around it, clarify your vision, communicate effectively, and hold yourself and others accountable throughout the change process, you can successfully navigate even the most disruptive change.