Working as an agent of change the most common factor that I run into is resistance to change. Not surprisingly it typically comes from the leaders in a group or business. The issue of resistance is an aspect that receives a lot of attention pointed with an equal amount of recommendations for mitigation.
Here are some of the best tools I found to work with leaders when resistance shows up.
- Ask questions that educate. Focus on the questions that will cause the leaders to think differently and to embrace other points of view.
- Find out what the pain points are and put processes in place for reduction of those points. Engage leaders in a one-to-one discussion as to what they are feeling. Ask questions to assist in the identification what is bothering them. Provide support for the leaders to articulate resolution.
- Take a stand and be influential not pushy. Suggest options that serve the process and allow the leaders to make the choices as to what action steps they are willing to take.
- Model good change leadership to the stakeholders. Ensure that your behaviour models good change process. Engage leaders in a feedback process, ensure they agree, and then deliver.
Need greater clarity – contact me to discuss.
Solo and Small Biz Change Agent, Marie-Helene Sakowski at info@effectiveplacement.com
