Change Management

Change is everywhere, whether in the business world, political world, or others. Everything is changing in the economy, employees’ needs and wants, customers’ needs and wants, technology, and so much more. Any organization that cannot adapt to the ever-changing world will not survive long, and there are numerous examples of this: Blockbuster, Blackberry, Sears, and many more.

Change management is a process wherein tools and techniques are used to manage the people side of changing and adapting to achieve desired leadership outcomes. Change management describes the approaches and methods applied to implement change in internal and external processes. Whether that be a reallocation of human resources, physical resources, monetary resources, or otherwise, it addresses how these changes are implemented and ensure lasting benefits.

Obviously, in any scenario, significant change is complex and challenging, and, with that in mind, change management is a false term. A leader cannot entirely ‘manage’ change; however, one can alleviate and remove the roadblocks to change, facilitating a smoother social process.

There are a variety of disciplines, including psychology, behavioral sciences, project management, and systems thinking as methods of change management. Leaders must choose the methodology best fits their organization, culture, and leadership style. These methods all function to remove roadblocks. With that in mind, knowing the roadblocks to change, the criteria for a successful change, and several of the most widely used methodologies is essential.

Considering the roadblocks to change, it is first and foremost essential to address the lies and misconceptions, the first being:

• Lie: No one likes change. If no one wants to change, we would never adopt, improve, or try new things. Truthfully, everyone likes change, and everyone hates change.
• Lie: Change is easy. No, change is disruptive. It turns our world upside-down in unfamiliar ways. It affects our habits and daily lives. From large to minor changes, it is difficult and uncomfortable. For transition to be successful, you have to be willing to overcome and step out of the established comfort zone.
• Lie: Change is hard. Change may be uncomfortable, but it does not have to be hard. Railing against change, arguing about it, and being upset throughout the whole process will not affect the inevitability that is change. Accepting that change will happen in the world, being open to it, and accepting the difficulty with it makes change faster and smoother.

Disregarding the lies, many of the truths and realities about change are that it cannot be stopped, and the easier change is, the less important it is. There is a difference between imposed change and change by choice; you can love and hate change simultaneously. We are affected more by how change affects us personally, and lastly, everyone reacts to change differently.

References

Advanced Controller and CFO Skills: Leadership Styles; Change Management. e-book, Durham, NC, Association of International Certified Public Accountants, 2021.