Coaching for Change
5 actions to empower people to move forward
“I just need people to get on with it.”
Shared a manager during a recent coaching session. Frustrated by the reactions his people were having to the company restructure, this manager wanted to move forward quickly but was struggling with how people were responding.
Most leaders and managers do their best to maintain an optimistic mindset and team culture through change, but can find it difficult to create a clear path forward for their people when they don’t have the knowledge or skills to guide them through.
This year we’ve been coaching lots of leaders facing organisational restructure and company merger. It’s a tough situation for everyone where the majority within an organisation have no control but full responsibility to execute.
Here’s how to stay ahead of the panic, guide your people through uncertain and difficult circumstances and, in the process, strengthen your team’s desire to keep showing up tomorrow.
1. Assess
Some people will revel in change, and some will run from it. Start by finding out where your people are on the continuum and WHY. Learn what challenges them about change. Don’t assume; ask and listen.
2. Adapt
For those in your team who seem resistant, remind yourself of the great strengths you value in them that come with their preference for stability and structure. Flex your communication to meet them where they’re at (rather than wish they were different), it will build trust.
3. Align
Have regular #BraveChats to find out how people are doing. But don’t stop at their first answer, ask follow-up questions and listen. Acknowledge the difficulties and allow space for the fear. Contrary to most leaders’ fears, you won’t get stuck there, once people feel heard they’ll move with you.
4. Aspire
Keep returning your focus and theirs to the future. Recast the vision of where you’re going in an authentic way. You may need to do this daily for a while as people adjust and find their focus.
5. Account
Know your own tendencies, reactions and judgements. Listen to your inner dialogue and the words and phrases that come out of your own mouth. Is there room for you to shift your mindset? Do you need to take more care of yourself so you can keep showing up for others?
It’s likely you’ll learn more about yourself and grow your leadership skills through this time.
There’s no certainty like change, and how we move together through it will have an immeasurable impact on the well-being of our people, the culture of our workplaces and the futures we create.
Lead Well.
Karen.
(image shared with permission and is not related to the client story).