Change Management FAQ:
Change is inevitable. As the world turns, so do the leaves. How do we come to terms with and manage a force that happens on the smallest scales? Here are a few questions, and answers that make starting the process easier.
What is change management?: Change management is the process of collaborating with people to successfully navigate the trauma that comes with change. Change management is trauma management on an organizational scale.
What is trauma?: Trauma is the addition of energy to a system and is the precursor for any change. Like putting a kettle on to boil; heat is added which excites the water molecules.
What is change? Change is what happens as energy is added to a system. When the energy keeps being added the water will boil because all the molecules speed up and bounce into one another, transferring energy and creating bubbles.
Why does change start?: Energy is always being added to one system or another in the universe. Water changes state because it becomes so excited that it breaks free of weaker bonds. The same is true for people. People change when they have the resources and time to heal from trauma.
Where does change start?: Change start anywhere the support is thinnest, the energy highest, or there is a catalyst. Anytime energy is applied to an uneven pot or pan the boiling starts where the water is thinnest, where there's a hot spot on the burner, or where there's something that allows the energy transfer to speed up. The same is true for any organization.
How to spot change?: Small changes are already happening where the energy is, so look for bubbles. In people it comes out as excitement, nervousness, confusion, fear, or anger. A lot of small changes find their balance quickly, with short bursts of energy creating a lot of little bubbles. Though these instances seem insignificant they need to be observed and cataloged to determine if they are part of a larger pattern. Sometimes it's hard to tell how big the energy source being used is and small pockets of heat can make a lot of difference in the stability of the water.
The set up for a large change to happen all at once is to make a set of measured, small changes that ensure the correct pieces are in the correct places before a big burst of energy is applied. Make sure your business is ready to take on any of these changes properly with collaboration and communication, so no one gets burned. Leaders can either use the natural processes to create or support change that is already happening.
