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How To Lead Change

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"How To Lead Change"

    - by Simon Hazeldine MSc BA (Hons) FInstSMM
 

(c) Simon Hazeldine. All Rights Reserved.


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LEADERSHIP AND CHANGE

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives,
nor the most intelligent; it is the one that is most
adaptable to change”
Charles Darwin

With advances in technology, the increasing consolidation
and globalisation of industries, and the political and
economic developments taking place across the globe;
change is not something that happens occasionally. 
It is happening all of the time!

In many organisations change is perceived by the employees
as a bad or negative thing.  Significant change such as an
organisational re-structure can cause uncertainty
and anxiety.

Change can, and should also, be looked upon as a good and
ealthy thing.  An organisation that does not develop and
adapt may find itself being overtaken by its competitors
because it has not kept up with the change that is
happening around it.

“Change is the permanent state of a healthy organisation”
Tom Peters

The role of the leader with regard to change is important. 
Effective leaders anticipate the changes that will happen
to the environment (political, social, economic, commercial)
within which their organisation operates.

In addition they will be pro-active in making the changes
that need to be made for their organisations to survive and
thrive.  They will be advocates, initiators, agitators and
agents of change, and for change.


“Leadership produces change. That is its primary function.”
John Kotter


The effective leader will firstly know:

1.    How to lead change effectively

2.    Understand how the process of change will affect
    their followers and how to adapt their leadership
    approach accordingly.

How to lead change effectively

Change guru John Kotter has stated that from watching more
than 100 organisations attempt to make fundamental changes
in the way that they did business that only a few were
successful.

Kotter has outlined eight stages that need to be in place
for an organisation to be transformed successfully: 

1.    Establish a Sense of Urgency!
    Why does the change need to take place?
    Define the crisis, potential crisis or opportunity
    that exists

2.    Form a Powerful Coalition
    For the change to be effective you need a  group
    with sufficient power, and with enthusiasm and
    passion for the change
    Encourage & enable this team to work together

3.    Create a Vision
    What is your compelling story for the change?
    Why should people follow?
    Create the vision of the desired outcome.
    Develop the strategies for achieving the vision

4.    Communicate the vision
    Use every possible vehicle to communicate a coherent
    vision and message to your followers
    The leaders in the organisation need to role model
    the new behaviours – remember behaviours follow
    focus!

5.    Empower others to act on the vision
    Identify and remove barriers to change
    Change systems or structures that undermine the
    vision
    Encourage risk taking, challenge and non traditional
    ideas and actions

6.    Plan for and create quick wins
    Plan for visible performance improvements
    Tell people when the organisation has achieved
    improvements
    Recognise and reward contribution
    Celebrate success

7.    Consolidate improvement and produce still more
    change
    Critically evaluate processes in line with the
    vision and take appropriate action to change/
    re-invigorate
    Hire, promote and develop employees who can
    implement the vision  

8.    Institutionalise new approaches
    Articulate the connections between new behaviours
    and business success
    Developing the means to ensure leadership
    development and succession


To be an effective leader you need to understand the
importance of change and how to deliver it successfully.
In this way you can lead your organisation to greatness.

“The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges
it.”
Warren Bennis

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