Creating a Climate for Change

Creating a Climate for Change

The leader must develop trust.
“The more people trust the leader, the more willing they will be to accept the leader’s proposed changes”
The leader must make personal changes before asking others to changes.
“great leaders not only say what should be done, they show it!”
Good leaders understand the history of the organization.
“The longer an organization has gone without change, the more effort introducing it will require.”
Place influencers in leadership positions.
“[Leaders] are going somewhere…and…they are able to persuade people to go with them.”
Check the “change in your pocket.”
“Every leader is given a certain amount of “change” (emotional support in the form of bargaining chips) at the beginning of a relationship.”
Good leaders solicit the support of influencers before the change is made public. See ten-item checklist (p. 68)
Develop a meeting agenda that will assist change.
Develop an agenda to enhance the meeting process (information items, study items, action items)
Encourage the influencers to influence others informally.
“Leadership leaks should be planned and positive, preparing the people for the meeting where the change will be formally presented.”
Show the people how the change will benefit them.
“The proposed change is what is best for the people, not the leader. The people must be first.”
Give the people the ownership of the change.
“Without ownership, changes will be short-term.”