Understanding & Managing Change

Change is a constant and is happening rapidly, especially in today’s technological world. It is causing organizations to modify or replace business models, integrate more technology into everyday business and require different skill sets in their personnel. The advent of COVID 19 has exacerbated the situation and has required organizations to make rapid unplanned changes. However, over the years we have developed a considerable knowledge base about change and how it affects organizations and employees. Even though each organizational change situation can be quite unique, we have discovered certain patterns that are common and manageable. The way people react is predictable. By recognizing those patterns and expected behaviours, savvy leaders can minimize resistance and focus efforts on navigating the change in a positive and constructive manner.

This seminar will explore the nature of change, the common patterns that exist and how to manage these successfully through any change initiative while lowering resistance and embracing new challenges.


DATES

(ONLINE - 2 partial days)
TBA

 

COURSE INFORMATION
Fee:
 $420 + HST
Facilitator: Michael Kennedy, BSc, CAE, MEd
Location: Online

Program Content

Introduction

  • The nature of change and its impact on our livelihood

Understanding the nature of change

  • Discovery and discussion on responses to participants beliefs about change
  • What conditions need to exist to precipitate change
  • The two primary motivators for change
  • The common reasons why people may resist change and its underlying motivation
  • Recognizing the impact of fear and anxiety that change may bring
  • Understanding the process of change in people versus an organization
  • Recognizing the common manifestations in people as they undergo transition to a new reality
  • Creating the momentum necessary to effect change
  • Elevating dissatisfaction with the status quo
  • The need for a shared vision of the future state
  • Developing the necessary first steps in implementing change
  • Key factors that assist or hinder change
  • The need for people to understand the why of change along with agreement in order to commit to the change

Managing change efforts

  • The necessity of an effective communication strategy throughout the organization
  • The necessity of a continuing clear and effective dialogue amongst all members undergoing change
  • Getting the necessary commitment and buy in from all leadership levels
  • Identifying and getting support from key workers to first imbed change efforts
  • Developing allies in your change efforts
  • Developing a transparent change action plan with key milestones and metrics
  • Developing appropriate feedback loops to measure progress and identify risks or potential obstacles that may undermine efforts
  • Developing an appropriate response plan to unforeseen events or unintentional consequences brought about by the change effort
  • Identifying and understanding four keys pillars necessary in your leadership group to effect lasting change
  • Identifying and appropriately responding to identified resistance
  • How to maintain momentum in the change effort
  • Responding appropriately to the different phases of change
  • Discussion on organizational change efforts and what people really need.

Why change may fail

  • Avoiding the top nine mistakes that managers and organizations make in trying to implement change

Summary

  • Review of the key strategies for dealing with change
  • The three main keys to success

What You Will Learn

  • A greater acceptance of the inevitability of change and how to better manage change in your environment using effective techniques and processes
  • Identifying your own beliefs about change and how that may assist or hinder your change efforts
  • How to raise the awareness level of personnel of the need for change
  • Understanding the dual aspect of change regarding organizational change and personnel transition and the importance of attending to both
  • Knowing the common resistors to change and how to combat its effects
  • Recognizing the common reactions in people as they face change and how to coach members throughout the implementation.
  • Understanding the reasons why companies fail or succeed in their change efforts
  • What and how to communicate in a period of change
  • Learning tips and techniques for implementing necessary change in oneself and/or organizations


Who Should Attend?

You will benefit from this seminar if you:

  • are interested in becoming better at managing change in their workplace
  • wish to become more effective and efficient in implementing change in their organizations