10 Ways to Manage Change in the Workplace Effectively
Workplaces evolve and it’s important that staff and processes are flexible and able to adapt to these changes, whether it’s changes in rules and regulations, new technologies or consumer trends.
Here are 10 ways to manage change in the workplace effectively:
1. Encourage open collaboration and communication
When staff members talk and collaborate in an open and flowing way, ideas flow better and the team is more likely to be united. Encourage staff to listen to each other’s thoughts or opinions and allow them to build trust.
2. Set a mission statement including values
The most effective workplaces and teams have goals and a mission statement that they are consistently working to achieve. It’s easier to manage change when the team has a mission statement and they are clear on the values they hold as a team, including the ability to adapt and change as a core value.
A mission statement doesn’t have to be complicated. It should be short, concise and easy to digest for everyone in the workplace.
3. Adapt processes
Change is more likely to be accepted if it’s part of the official documented process. Make sure to review your processes regularly to ensure they reflect the latest developments. Any changes to processes and process documents need to be communicated clearly within the workplace.
Training or re-training may also be required to ensure that staff and leadership are up to date and informed on the latest changes.
4. Change management qualifications
At Ramsay Todd, we use the PRINCE2 methodology for our Catering Project Management services, which means we can ensure staff are provided the best catering project management guidance and knowledge to succeed in business.
Having the right training in how to manage change is key to managers understanding how to implement changes within an organisation.
To find out more see catering project management
5. Encourage diversity
In his book, Rebel Ideas, Matthew Syed talks about how a diverse culture helps an organisation to come up with new ideas and to be open to doing things differently. Organisations, he argues, should look to recruit people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse skill sets as well as recruiting personnel based on their overall experience and knowledge.
6. Encourage team activities
Having regular meetings that are time effective and motivational can also help to make sure that staff collaborate and adapt to challenges that they face. If a team is fairly new in working together, or there is some form of strain in the relationships between staff, then team building events can also help to reduce any resistance and unite the group as one.
7. Break down change to make it more acceptable
While change can be a good thing, it’s something for which we all have varying levels of fear and the bigger the change, the more resistance there is likely to be within a team. If possible, breaking down the transformation into smaller steps can make it more acceptable.
Once the first step is widely accepted, move on to make more, smaller changes that are likely to be accepted within the workplace. Try not to have too many steps in this process as it can have a negative effect by increasing the frequency of changes further!
8. Provide leadership
Having a team that collaborates and shares ideas is important, but leadership also needs to embrace change and provide the right level of leadership and direction. If a leader doesn’t embrace change then other members are more likely to be resistant.
Having the right qualifications provides the necessary skills for strong leadership when it comes to adapting and evolving an organisation.
9. Clarify the benefits of change
When the benefits of change are clear, teams are more likely to embrace them and even be passionate about managing them. Benefits such as ‘because it will improve the service we provide to our customers’ or ‘to protect staff and customers’ provide clarity that the workforce can unite behind.
10. Review regularly
Managing change in the workplace can be difficult and there is always a need to train new staff and remind everyone in the business of any changes, as well as the benefits. If leaders and team members aren’t managing change effectively then it might be time to review the above points.
If you would like to find out more about how Ramsay Todd can help you manage change in the workplace effectively, get in touch.
