Explain Your Rationale for CHANGE

As our environment is shifting on a daily basis now, the rules, playing field, goal lines are being edited every single day.  Many are insisting that a real change is necessary, whether it’s across an organization, or a facility, or a team.  Given the high stress environment that currently exists, you will likely be met with some form of resistance as we move forward.

Resistance often is rooted in a lack of understanding.. Teams or individuals will withhold support for an initiative simply because they don’t understand the situation or proposal. Education is the first step.

Explain the logic that’s driving the change.  Build your case and make it compelling. Explain the background, losses, stress, lack of forward movement that will bring  others to the conclusion that some kind of change is necessary.

Your explanation should widen their field of vision.  Relate the situation to trends in your industry.  Show how your organization measures up against performance benchmarks.  Try to relate proposed changes to your organization’s CORE VALUES.  And always consider the situation from your audience’s perspective because it needs to make sense from their viewpoint.

Granted some won’t accept what you’re proposing, but you do want them to understand it. Fully.  That way no one can claim ignorance as the reason for their resistance.

Explain specifically why change is under way—making certain your rationale is solid—and more people are likely to get on board.

Never assume your entire group has caught on, even if the reasons for change may seem obvious—Spell it out for everyone and check repeatedly for understanding.  This way you can accurately and appropriately begin to hold others accountable going forward.