Volume XXI, Number 19 (Issue 1023) May 8, 2023
Eight Questions | Chapter Six – Part 3 | Change Management – Keys to a Successful Outcome
There are a number of things that can and routinely do impact the course and outcome of a change initiative. Few are more impactful than the three elements cited below – particularly if one hopes to avoid having the intended change come unwound like a spool of thread. I know this to be so because early in my career I worked for a consulting firm that was quite adept at items one and three – state of the art technical knowledge and implementation. The problem was we didn’t appreciate and therefore completely ignored item two – getting buy-in from those involved. Consequently, many of the improvements we were being paid to help our clients accomplish found little lasting traction. Again, for the record, those three elements are:
1. Technical knowledge
2. Adaptive (behavioral) buy-in 3. Implementation
I want to take the next few minutes to examine all three and the role each of them plays in successful change. Starting with technical knowledge, there is an immense body of available information that only grows with each passing day. Some of that information is helpful. Much of it does not apply to the given situation. Within the helpful category, some are well known and readily available. Some of it, while available, is not fully applicable so it needs a bit of tweaking if not wholesale modification. Then there are those problems in search of a solution where the answer must be invented. In the case of this latter category, we are all familiar with the sad tales of numerous pioneers. You know the ones – they can be recognized by the arrows in their backs and the holes in their pockets. Thus, the bigger victories often accrue to the early adopters/fast followers. At the other end of the spectrum, we find those who are routinely late to the party and therefore constantly behind the curve. In some circles these individuals/organizations are characterized as slow followers – largely because they are both bargain hunters and risk averse.
Skipping ahead to element three (implementation), its significance is obvious. No implementation, no change, more of the same sort of things that are not working now. Worse still, in many cases whatever is invested (time, money, political capital, etc.) is lost, not accounting for any lessons learned. There is a science to
implementation starting with ownership. That is followed by a project plan. There is more to come but we will hold that until the next issue.
Soli Deo Gloria
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
J. Keith Hughey
Mobile: (210)260-0955
E-mail: keith@jkeithhughey.com
Web site: www.jkeithhughey.com
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