Preparing for change – why the right support can help
How sustainable is the scale of change in today’s fast-paced workplace? Economic uncertainty, high attrition rates and the shift to hybrid working have all conspired to make 2022 feel particularly difficult for organisations.
Yet whether you thrive on change, are wary of it or view it with a sense of dread, change is – and always has been – the one constant in our work and lives.
It’s also the aspect of her work that most intrigues JGA’s Coaching Lead Corrine Thomas, who specialises in enabling others to overcome their natural human resistance and prepare effectively for change.
‘I love watching a team come together on a deep level, and trust each other enough to have open and honest conversations as they steer their organisation through change,’ she reveals.
‘This is when I see transformational, sustainable change happen and it’s very rewarding. A team that feels safe to talk about mistakes – and be open when they’re not sure of the answers – will benefit from the power of connection and feeling trusted to work things out.’
The power of trust
Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous – VUCA has long been used by management advisors to describe the nature of the modern organisation.
But Corrine prefers the newer BANI concept introduced by futurist Jamais Cascio, as she believes that ‘Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear and Incomprehensible’ better describe the challenges of business today.
‘Brittle, because we’re susceptible to catastrophe at any time – events seem to be disconnected and disproportionate which makes change unstructured, difficult to plan and nonlinear,’ she explains. ‘Even with lots of data, it can be difficult to understand a situation and choose a way forward, but decisions often need to be made quickly.
‘This can result in fear about making the right call, leading to higher levels of anxiety for both individuals and organisations. Change can only be sustained by building resilient, capable and collaborative teams who have the skills and trust to work together.’
Preparing leaders for change
So preparing for change is key, but sometimes change happens as a bolt from the blue.
‘That’s true,’ Corrine says, ‘but whether it’s welcome or not, our first response is often to resist it because it means changing our routines and behaviours. This is when a positive mindset and being open to learning are helpful: by being willing to look for possibilities, we can successfully navigate through change.’
She highlights the success of remote and hybrid working as a live example of this approach.
‘This shift was already gradually happening before 2020 but, even in companies where it was wanted, it wasn’t easy because of the need to gain buy-in, make multiple decisions, develop plans and run projects across functions to make it happen.
‘Yet when an external factor (the pandemic) forced businesses to make the change to keep the company running, it was amazing what people could achieve in a very short space of time.’
The role of resilience
Corrine highlights the pivotal role of resilience in enabling successful change.
‘Resilience enables individuals, teams and organisations to pick themselves up after setbacks. Resilient people can recognise and manage the emotions they’re experiencing and quickly move to seeking feedback.
‘They’re open to learning from setbacks to help them move forward. They navigate the challenges change brings with a curious and flexible attitude.’
Are you ready for change?
Corrine’s own experience of leading, mentoring and coaching others through change has enhanced her knowledge and skills.
‘I've worked in a variety of change situations,’ she confirms, ‘ranging from coaching individuals through career change and mentoring apprentices as they build skills in their first job, to preparing teams to transition to new ways of working.
‘In organisations, I've supported change programmes that have involved bringing in new technology to transform areas of working – including as part of a move from being UK-based to global.’
At JGA, she’s excited to lead our refreshed Coaching through Change offer which combines insightful Preparing for Change workshops with constructive individual and team coaching. Using the Engage digital toolkit, our service measures and builds change readiness, equipping leaders to support themselves and others on the journey through change.
Next steps
Change isn’t going to stop happening – if anything its scale and pace is set to accelerate as every organisation grapples with the unpredictable nature of doing business in the post-pandemic world.
Engaging professional support to prepare leaders and teams for change is a sound investment but, in the meantime, what are Corrine’s top 5 practical tips for organisations who want to start creating a ‘change ready’ culture for themselves?
1. Be proactive and continually communicate your vision.
2. Be prepared to listen and give everyone the chance to be heard.
3. Encourage your people to be curious and ask questions.
4. Be flexible and willing to adapt to changing situations.
5. Give new ways of working time to embed within the workplace.
‘Change can only be sustained by building resilient, capable and collaborative teams who have the skills and trust to work together’
Corrine Thomas, JGA Coaching Lead
Want to know how we can support your organisation’s leaders and teams to navigate change successfully? To find out more about our new Coaching for Change service, get in touch here