How to get your team on board with a big change
Many experts will chime in with the usual advice: highlight benefits, offer training, involve the team. But there's more to it than that, and it starts before offering the solution. See, true change happens when we tap into two primary human drivers: pain and pleasure. And let's be real, it’s almost always pain that pushes us to change, not an elusive promise it will get better.
The first step? COMMIT to making it better, to yourself and they key stakeholders that are going to approve the time and money it's going to take to fix it. From there, you can start the process and it begins with this...
Make everyone deeply feel the discomfort of the current situation. A comprehensive, anonymous survey can work wonders here. Dive deep with questions that stir emotions:
- “How many times in the past week have you felt frustrated searching for a file?”
- “Recall a moment when our current system made you miss a deadline. How did that impact you?”
- “Do you ever feel the tools at hand slow you down more than they help?”
- “Was there ever a platform or system feature you used before that you sorely miss now?”
The aim is to not just gather data, but to force introspection. Make them crave an environment that truly supports their efforts. This is where that commitment comes in. You've got to deliver, and here's how.
With this rich feedback in hand, craft a system that directly addresses their concerns. Let each team member see that you've taken their feedback seriously and are actively working to alleviate their pain points. This not only brings in a new system but fosters trust and appreciation. This is also where you go and find any other change management article out there and implement training, etc.
But here's the catch: The journey doesn’t end with implementation. Continuous follow-up is paramount. If someone seems to be reverting to old habits, approach them with curiosity and not frustration. Maybe they've missed out on a feature that could make their task easier? Offer to guide them through.
To underscore the significance of post-rollout engagement, I recently listened to a podcast that brilliantly highlighted continuous training's role in successful system transitions. Check it out here. The part I'm talking about is 16 min in.
I happen to be the next episode, so if you want to hear me talking about digital asset management and archiving strategies for established companies, listen here :)
Considering a system revamp? I’d love to chat and offer insights. Even if we aren’t the ideal solution for you, we always here to guide you in the right direction. Here's a link to book a free discovery call.
