Leading Change
What is the main goal of leading change?
Help people move from the current situation to a better or desired one.
True or False: People sometimes resist change.
True
What is one of the most important tools leaders use during change?
Communication
Netflix moved from mailing DVDs to primarily streaming. Is that organizational change?
Yes
You announce a new process and an employee says, “The old way worked fine.” What are you dealing with?
Resistance to change.
What should a leader clearly explain when introducing change?
Why the change is needed.
Name one reason someone might resist change.
Fear, uncertainty, habit, loss of control, etc.
Employees don't know how to use a new system. What should leadership provide?
Training
A restaurant adds online ordering because customers want it. What caused the change?
Customer demand.
Your team supports a change but doesn't know how to actually carry it out. What does the team need?
Training, resources, or clearer direction.
True or False: Leaders only need to communicate about a change once.
False
An employee says, “We've always done it this way.” What are they showing?
Resistance to change.
Why should leaders set clear goals during change?
So employees know what they're working toward.
A company introduces AI tools to increase productivity. What might employees worry about?
Job security, learning new technology, or how their work will change.
Two employees resist a change for different reasons—one is confused and the other thinks it will hurt their job. Should you handle them the same way?
No. Identify and address the reason each person is resisting.
Why should leaders involve employees in a change?
It can increase support and commitment.
What's one thing a leader can do to reduce resistance?
Communicate, listen, involve employees, provide support, etc.
Why is celebrating progress during a major change useful?
It builds motivation and momentum.
A company changes its dress code and employees immediately complain. What is leadership dealing with?
Resistance to change.
Your team strongly opposes a change that leadership says must happen. What should you do as their leader?
Listen to their concerns, communicate them upward when appropriate, and help the team understand and implement the change.
What can happen if leaders ask employees to change but don't change their own behavior?
Employees may not take the change seriously or support it.
Can resistance ever help a leader?
Yes. It can reveal concerns or problems the leader hasn't considered.
After a change succeeds, what should leaders do to keep people from returning to old habits?
Continue reinforcing the new behaviors/process.
A company introduces a great new system but never trains its employees. Is the problem the change itself or its implementation?
Its implementation.
A major change is failing. Employees blame leadership, and leadership blames employees for resisting. As the leader, what's your first priority?
Identify why the change is failing before deciding who or what needs to change.