How to Successfully Implement Change in the Workplace through Organization

Employees Meeting
April 20, 2020
68 / 100

An organization without effective leadership is unlikely to be able to successfully implement change in the workplace. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to adopt and cultivate the characteristics and trademarks of successful change leadership.

From improving your communication skills and expanding your self-awareness to creating a workplace culture that encourages honest feedback, effective leadership is the foundation of helping employees learn new processes and skills that will, in turn, lead to successfully implementing change in the workplace.

Why Leaders Need a Plan For Implementing Change

As a leader in your organization, it’s not enough to dream big. Your innovative ideas can’t revolutionize the world until they’re successfully implemented in your own workplace. While implementation may seem straightforward, there’s actually a lot more to it than just sending out a company-wide memo.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand how implementing change will affect your organization. According to The Balance Careers, times of change are when your organization will experience the greatest disequilibrium. Whether big or small, any kind of change is a disruptor.

Heathfield implores leaders to accept the fact that changes may not go exactly according to plan. Similarly, implementing change often takes significantly longer than organizations anticipate. According to Heathfield, “new people and new technology can take up to 18 months to work effectively in your organization.”

First Steps to Successfully Implementing Change

Now that you understand implementing change in the workplace will take time, it’s helpful to have a plan in place for introducing new business processes. This plan will guide your decisions and actions as an effective leader.

For every effective leader, a key question is deciding how you’re going to communicate the process change. Human behavioral patterns teach us that people fear the unknown and change is the unknown. For that reason, considering your employee’s thoughts and behaviors is key to successful change implementation.

Based on the scale of the change you’re working to implement, you will need to decide the most effective way to communicate the process change. Will an email suffice, or is a company-wide meeting necessary?

Once you’ve decided on how to communicate the change, you must decide when is the best time to do so. In fact, it’s vital to give your team enough time to prepare themselves and not overwhelm them with too many changes at once.

Effective leaders must take care to ensure the conditions are right to share their visions. Sharing your vision is the third step in introducing new business processes. When the conditions are right, employees will likely be more receptive to change and new ideas.

To further encourage acceptance when you share your vision, give employees the “why” behind the new changes instead of just telling employees what they will be doing.

Addressing Uncertainty

Sharing the “why” behind your vision is essential to the fourth step of successfully implementing change in the workplace: addressing uncertainty.

Any type of change is likely to cause uncertainty. Change frequently initiates stress and concerns among employees, which can lead to resistance to change. Effective leaders know that if they’re going to successfully implement change in the workplace they must work with their employees by addressing the stress and concerns that may emerge as a result of change.

When implementing change, effective leaders create problem-solving groups to address stress and concerns among employees. It’s imperative to cultivate a workplace culture that encourages candid feedback. Employees need regular opportunities to share their thoughts and feelings. Heathfield recommends periodically scheduling total staff reviews of the changes.

At these total staff reviews, effective leaders will encourage employees to own the changes by involving them in the process. Give your staff a personal stake in the success of the implementation. Heathfield suggests telling your team exactly what you need from them to make the new systems succeed.

Rather than just expecting employees to get on board, effective leaders communicate and provide feedback so everyone knows and understands where the organization is in the implementation process in order to facilitate the sharing of the employee feedback they wanted in the first place.

Across industries, including health administration, good communication is one of the characteristics that makes a great leader. According to Ohio University, ineffective leaders often fall into the trap of blaming organizational breakdown on anything other than their own shortcomings. Effective leaders assume responsibility and use their communication skills to support their teams when implementing change in the workplace.

Communicating the Specifics

When the lines of communication are open between you and your team, you’re in a good position to expand your self-awareness. It’s important to understand not everyone will react to the changes your organization is trying to implement in the same way.

How can you achieve a more well-rounded perception? Your employees are in the best position to identify the problems that may be hindering the success of your changes, according to Heathfield.

For example, one of the problems undermining the success might be the fact that your employees need specific technical training that was not anticipated earlier. Rather than forcing everyone to learn in the same way, consider the concept of asynchronous learning.

Exploring the concept of asynchronous learning can help you understand how people learn new skills and processes at different speeds and in different ways. Furthermore, investing in employee development can improve productivity and cultivate loyalty.

Ensuring employees have the necessary tools and training to learn new skills and processes at their own pace may be the final step in implementing change in the workplace, but effective leaders continue to monitor the results from the changes even after the initial goals have been met.

Over time, adjustments may need to be made. There may even be opportunities for further training, which can help cement the knowledge and skills employees have learned. Leaving the door open can result in the benefits of a successfully implemented change lasting for decades.

Categories

More Posts:

Manufacturing Tips Businesses Should Follow

To be a victorious business, it takes more than having an outstanding product. Knowing the significance of manufacturing and how it impacts their financials is integral for any organization that wishes to thrive in today's marketplace. To keep up with the competition,...

What I Wish I Had Known When I Started My Business

Starting a business is hard work. There are so many things to think about and do, and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Trust me, I know from experience! When I started my business, there were a lot of things I wish I had known. But thankfully, I've learned a lot...

Product Mistakes You Might Be Making at Your Business

Running a business isn’t easy, and making product-related mistakes can cost your company time and money. From creating products without doing market research to holding excess inventory or failing to file patents, there are numerous pitfalls that you need to be aware...

A Five-Step Guide to Starting a Logistics Company

If you've been considering launching a transportation and logistics company, now is the moment. The transportation and storage sector is very important and profitable. Statistics show that by 2027, the global logistics market would have grown from its 2017 valuation...

How to Reduce Your Tax Burden When Operating a Business

As a business owner, you already have many financial responsibilities. Adding on the burden of taxes can be overwhelming. To reduce any stress, you need to find ways to reduce what you’re spending on taxes.  Start a Retirement Plan  Having a retirement plan in place...

​​How to Prevent Lawsuits From Ruining Your Company

No one wants to deal with the hassle and expense of a lawsuit. Unfortunately, lawsuits can happen to any business, no matter how big or small. The best way to protect your company is to take preventative measures to make sure that you are doing everything possible to...

Explaining the What, Why, and How of Strategic Alliance

A strategic alliance is a business arrangement in which two or more companies come together to form a partnership to pursue a common goal. By teaming up, these companies can leverage each other's strengths and resources to achieve their objectives more quickly and...

10 Strategies an Ecommerce Business Needs to Follow to Increase their Customer Base

Online retailers need to drive traffic to their websites to boost sales. It is important to choose the right marketing strategies to drive traffic since not every strategy will work for every business. This article provides an overview of efficient marketing...

Why Digital Menu Boards Are A Game Changer For Restaurants

There are numerous benefits of using digital menu boards in restaurants. The best drive-thru menu boards can be controlled remotely to make updating fast and easy. Convenience is the main focus of drive-thrus. Customers don't need to leave their automobiles to place...

How to Avoid Manufacturing Woes at Your Business

If your business relies on manufactured goods, then you know that there are a lot of potential problems that can occur during the production process. From defective products to missed deadlines, manufacturing woes can cause big headaches for your business.  Here are...
Manufacturing Tips Businesses Should Follow

Manufacturing Tips Businesses Should Follow

To be a victorious business, it takes more than having an outstanding product. Knowing the significance of manufacturing and how it impacts their financials is integral for any organization that wishes to thrive in today's marketplace. To keep up with the competition,...

All Categories

Business Operations

Entrepreneur Interviews

Marketing, Networking, & Social Media

Self Care & Personal Development

Working Moms

Business Software and Technology

Entrepreneurship & Small Business

Organizing Tips

Sales

Career Building

Family Businesses

Inspiration

Starting Your Own Business

Work-Life Balance

Communication

Hiring Help

Management & Leadership

Time Management & Priorities

Women in Leadership

Recent Posts

Tips for Starting a Gardening Business in Your Community

Tips for Starting a Gardening Business in Your Community

Embarking on a gardening business is a bewildering journey that promises both intrinsic satisfaction and monetary success. The paramount initial step is to scrutinize the varied gamut of services you would want to render, followed by an intricate search for tools and supplies to substantiate the execution of those services. Crafting a business and financial plan is an absolute must, especially given the burgeoning competition from fellow green-thumbed entrepreneurs amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Establishing an online presence through a website and social media and designing business cards and flyers are integral to drumming up business. Lastly, building a loyal clientele and network is paramount for sustained success in the horticultural realm.

How to Protect Your Personal Finances From Black Swan Events

How to Protect Your Personal Finances From Black Swan Events

Life throws us an occasional curveball; it’s just a part of life. But what if your finances take a hit due to something outside of your control?  Black swan events are rare, but they occur and can cause massive financial losses. The key is to be prepared for the worst...

How to Make Sure Your Business Event is a Positive Experience

How to Make Sure Your Business Event is a Positive Experience

There are few better ways to make connections while having a good time than by hosting an event for your business. Of course, the networking and trust-building benefits of such an event hinge on planning it well. When organizing a business event, it is imperative to...

Why Your Business Should Be Involved With the Local Community

Why Your Business Should Be Involved With the Local Community

Why your business should be involved with the local community

The local community is the primary customer base for most businesses unless they operate solely online. Therefore, businesses should get involved with their local community in order to forge a strong presence & distinguish themselves from their competitors. You can achieve this in several ways, primarily by sponsoring local events, such as sports competitions, charities, etc. By connecting with your local community, you can raise brand awareness, gain genuine feedback & insights about your products as well as understand your customers better. Consequently, you can address their pain points, create better products, align your values with your customers’ and thus, strengthen your relationship. Furthermore, by supporting local events, you can attract top talent and show your dedication by hiring locals, creating jobs, and giving back to the community. Naturally, you can create a positive image for your business leading to boosts in sales & revenue.

What to Do When You Plan to Take Your Company Public

What to Do When You Plan to Take Your Company Public

Going public is a huge milestone for any company, and it requires a great deal of planning and preparation. Taking your company public can have numerous benefits such as increased liquidity, brand visibility, and access to more capital. From reviewing your finances to...

Manufacturing Tips Businesses Should Follow

Manufacturing Tips Businesses Should Follow

To be a victorious business, it takes more than having an outstanding product. Knowing the significance of manufacturing and how it impacts their financials is integral for any organization that wishes to thrive in today's marketplace. To keep up with the competition,...