Leadership and Change go Hand in Hand
Last week I was asked what was the key factor in successful change. My knee jerk answer was leadership. Then we discussed the impact of leadership upon change. It is a factor that you must have in your organization is there is a need for significant change.
Strong and effective leaders known the status quo will not get them to the next level of performance or success. They also know that many people within their organization will continue to do the same things over and over without any change.
Therefore, effective leaders do things to get change done within their organizations. Here are five things effective leaders to make change work for their organizations.
First, they announce the need for change and explain the reason for change with their people. Communication is very important to the success of change. Being open to the suggestions of others is important. Yet, the leader knows that the people who actively resist change will offer excuses or reasons for no change. The effective leader will allow the open discussion and then do the right thing for the organization – which is launch the change activity.
Second, the effective leaders will set a goal and deadlines for their attainment. These goals are set for the organization and are pressed down into the organization so that everyone is contributing to the achievement of the goal. The leader knows that goal directed change is the most effective method for people to accept change.
Third, the effective leader will stay the course using discipline. Leaders know any significant change will naturally slow down and hit obstacles. They determination to continue in the face of adversity will have a positive influence on the organization. They will also hold their people accountability to fight through the adversity and achieve the goals set for them.
Fourth, the effective leader will use metrics to monitor the success of the change process. What actual impact does the change have upon the results of the organization? Only metrics will answer this question. While other factors will contribute to the success, the objectivity provided by metrics will insure the success. It provides the answers to the cause and effect equation.
Finally, the effective leader will celebrate the success of the change. They take the opportunity to support the efforts of the team by honoring their contribution to the execution of the goals. True leaders know that their people are the ones who actually make the change happen. They are the ones who must change their methods of operation and fight through the obstacles presented during the change activities.
Change can happen in any organization. The effective leaders make certain the change creates higher performance, productivity, revenue or profitability. Then they look for other areas that need improvement and launch again. The only constant effective leaders are certain about – it change is necessary to succeed in this rapidly changing business environment we live in today. Be a catalyst for change, be an effective leader.
Voss Graham
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Tags: Effective Communication, Effective Leaders, Goals and Outcomes, Leadership, Managing Change
