Most Change Initiatives Fail — Here’s How To Beat The Odds
by Lisa Bodell for ForbesWomen
From employee resistance to a lack of leadership role-modeling, there are myriad reasons why 70% of all change initiatives fail. Overcoming these odds to transform your business is possible, however, with the right approach. Through two decades of guiding companies toward a more innovative culture, my teams and I have identified a simple formula for successful organizational change.
It starts with acknowledging that when change is mandated, the majority of your employees won’t embrace it. People are understandably suspicious of new initiatives because most change programs rarely outlast the leader who manifested them. In my experience, employees will more willingly adapt to workplace change when they have a seat in the room where the changes are being planned. Take the following pro tips into consideration as you map out your path to transformation.
1.By employees, for employees. Every campaign for change must be led by your people — not forced on them from outside or above. To this end, it’s crucial that employees are invited to develop solutions to the issues on the table. Employees have deep expertise in their area of your business, and leadership should acknowledge this by listening to their ideas, not blindly prescribing remedies.