Change is inevitable within a business, and can present both opportunity or challenges. As an employer, it is important to know how to successfully lead your team through. These 8 tips will assist in maximizing benefits while minimizing stress.
According to Glassdoor, leaders need to be organized, strategic and almost overly prepared. You need clear goals, while also staying hyper-aware of how daily activities may change for you and your team. A key to getting ahead is thinking through various scenarios that could materialize – what can go right and what may go wrong. Change can breed unexpected developments, and leaders need to show composure to the team looking to them for guidance.
1. Assess Organizational Design
The leadership team has to be poised to enact the full body exercise that is transformation. Prior to an organizational change, it’s a good strategy to conduct an audit to ensure they have the skills, experiences and knowledge to steer their company into its future.
2. Activate Change Management
When not managed correctly, change can disrupt culture, impeding innovation and efficiency. Messaging is key. Having an organization with defined values that communicates with transparency will help to build a growth mindset that builds adaptable employees.
3. Set the Direction
Leaders position their team for success by making priorities clear at each stage. Articulate a vision the team can believe in. Hear their concerns. Empower them to deliver results by offering clear instructions.
Defining metrics for monitoring the team’s operations can help. Granted, there is likely to be disruption, but the goal is to contain that so that it doesn’t impact morale and productivity.
4. Engage Your Team
Being focused and organized positions leaders to help their team flex their way through transition; again, this scenario doesn’t demand a hero. It calls for a prepared and savvy facilitator.
5. Empower Decision-Making
Be transparent and explicit. Share goals and rationales that prompt decisions. Seek input. Invite dialogue.
6. Leverage Talent
Career planning is an ongoing process that bridges one’s current job to the next opportunity. Design succession plans to help the team achieve their goals. Nurture talent by matching career goals with available or upcoming opportunities.
7. Keep the Team Moving Forward
Make sure that the right people address the right issues without absorbing everyone’s time. Simplify hard topics, keeping them closed after the discussion (no backchanneling, gossip, or negative behaviors). Encourage people with different styles and help cultivate their talent and participation.
8. Share Success
Make it clear to your team members: they are vital to the success of the transformation. You’ve got this, and so do they.
Original article here.
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