8 Essential Steps to Managing Successful Change

24th January 2012

Yorkshire & Humber Branch

Annual Conference“The New Improved NHS ”

What is change management?Change management is a structured approach

to transitioning individuals, teams and organisations from a current state to a desired

future state

Change quotes…

Why change?No change is without a purpose

Environment- internal or external factors

• Systems• Processes• Culture• Things could be better• Mergers• Acquisitions • Continuous Improvement• Take Over

• Competition• Innovation• Upgrades• New Strategy• Outsourcing• Economy • New Technology• Restructuring

"If you are doing business today the same way as you did business yesterday, the chances are that you won’t be doing business tomorrow"

Peter F Drucker

Changes over the years

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning but anyone can start today and make a new ending

A changing perspective

A changing perspective

Change processBased on Kurt Lewin’s model

Undesired situation

Desired situation

Chaos Unpredictability

No controlConfusion

Loss-AttachmentFear

ShockAnger

Bargaining

Shock

Denial

Anger

Stability

Depression

Testing/Acceptance/letting

go

Understanding

Present Reality

Transition Phase

Preferred Future

Don’t see the reasons why

Can’t be happening, no need, it’ll run out of steam, it’ll go away

Start outing emotions, frustrated, hurt, blame.

Try to defer it, attempt to moderate the change

They don’t care, why should I?Withdrawn from job, lack of engagement, quiet, introverted, full scale of change has sunk in

Test our understanding of how it relates to us, put out feelers, maybe I can cope!

Ok This is where I’m at and what I’m doing now

People’s reaction to change - 8 step process.

Information/Communication

Emotional Support

Guidance/Direction

Bargaining

Shock

Denial

Anger

Stability

Depression

Testing/Acceptance/letting go

Understanding

Present Reality

Transition Phase

Preferred Future

Don’t see the reasons why

Can’t be happening, No need, it’ll run out of steam, it’ll go away

Start outing emotions, frustrated, hurt, blame.

Try to defer it, attempt to moderate the change

Withdrawn from job, lack of engagement, quiet, introverted, full scale of change has sunk in

Test our understanding of how it relates to us, put out feelers, maybe I can cope!

Ok This is where I’m at an what I’m doing now

Don’t compromise, stand firm!

Let them express their feelings, listen, be empathetic, explain, communicate, communicate, communicate!

Expect the shock! Explain and sell the benefits.•Communicate!•Communicate!•Communicate!

Accept people will be withdrawn and not contribute very much. Give them space to go through this period.

Give them time and let them know what they mean to you, reinforce their value, train, coach, be there for them.

If led positively you can build on this and lead them into the future.

People’s reaction to change - 8 step process.

5 Phases of change

5 Phases of change

Universal facts about changeWho do you know that really looks forward to change?

Universal facts about change

The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken’.

Samuel Johnson

Universal facts about change

• Different people react differently to change• Change often involves a loss and people go

through a loss curve• Success or failure of change depends on co-

operation of people implementing the change

Universal facts about change

• They key question everyone has on their mind about change is….?

• A small number of people and groups are almost always pivotal to a smooth and effective change process

• Your leadership is the absolute key to its success or not

• Effective communication and support are vital

Questions we must ask before change

• What do we need to achieve?• Why? How? When?• Who will be affected?• How will they react?• How do we support them?• Have we the resources to manage

the change?

Questions we must ask before change

• How do we communicate the change and get buy in?

• How do we deal with resistance?• What part of the change do we

need help with?• How do we know what success is

and how will we measure it?• After the change, what next?

How do we introduce change?

1

•Build trust- be open and honest

2

•Build a compelling, logical case for organisational change

3

•Match actions and words

4

•Involve the people affected

5

•Communicate a sense of confidence

6

•Repeat you main messages

8 steps to effective change

8 steps to effective change

Pre-requisites for change

Communicate for change!

• Communicate only what you know to be true (don’t speculate)

• Be sure senior management approves what you are communicating

• Communicate what you know as soon as you know.

• Communicate from their perspective- put yourself in their shoes

Communicate for change!

• Communicate using multiple mediums ( 1-1, small groups, large groups, written, focus groups, discussions etc.)

• Be prepared to answer questions.• Really listen• The more resistance, the more you

need to communicate.

Barriers and resistance to change

FearAngerHabitsNegative thinkingAttitudeCultureSubjectivityPeople EmotionsPoor planning

The normal reaction to change is resistance

1. Parochial self interest2. Misunderstanding3. Low tolerance to change4. Genuine disagreement

Factors for failure

• Lack of pro-active leadership or strategy

• Lack of consistent leadership• Poor communication• Intensive or brash approach• Lack of recognition and reward• Apathy

Factors for failure

• Staff kept in the dark• Lack of time, capacity, budget• Short term approach- stressed out out

staff• Lack of staff buy-in• Lack of initiative to do something

different

These factors then lead to the ‘tread-mill effect’, setting up a vicious circle

Absolute don'ts of change management

Don’t just think that change will happen

automatically- it needs work

Do not do a management high up

selling alone. You need to sell change to all your staff and

stakeholders

Don’t try and do it on your own, you need

supporters!

Don’t ignore rationale concerns, address

them and find solutions

Don’t start any change

management without a business

case and a planDon’t ignore

communication and support. You need both for change to

stick.

Change management summary

Change is difficult because of emotions

People will react differently but

typically follow the same pattern

Change management summary

Accept that fear , denial, anger,

resistance is normal

Good information and communication is essential. People are good at dealing with change if they

know what is changing

Change management summary

Focus on removing fear, most other

behaviours seem to stem from this

Carefully look for the opportunities, they

will be there

8 Essential Steps to Managing Successful Change

24th January 2012

Yorkshire & Humber BranchAnnual Conference

“The New Improved NHS ”