Navigating Change - a message from Sally Kirkright, CEO AccessEAP
Newport & Wildman is proudly part of AccessEAP. This month we have a message from Sally Kirkright, CEO, AccessEAP.
The amount and pace of change in the world is accelerating. Every leadership book talks about how the pace of change will continue to increase, and organisations who do not embrace change will be left behind. This is also true for those of us who have transitioned to working from home at a rapid rate. Now almost all people that we talk to can log onto a Zoom session and speak to their doctor via the phone.
As leaders, we need to think about our own responses to change and our employee's responses, and plan for both. There are change management courses and consultants for a reason, and that is because change is hard. We are told communicate your vision, communicate the changes and to take employees on a journey – all great advice – but most people think "what does the change mean for me?" and that will dictate their response. How we as leaders respond to their response will impact on how successfully the change is negotiated.
In organisations, the landscape is constantly evolving so we use change management models to create, plan out and communicate our vision to adapt to developing markets or new regulations. Steven Covey, of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, wrote that we need to "Begin with the end in mind" but I would add that we need to be ready to pivot in the face of developments and redesign the plan, reconsider what that 'end' goal looks like. Being fast and flexible is more than ever, a key component of change as organisations and employees are being asked to reconsider what normality is on a daily basis. At Newport & Wildman, we increased our Executive Leadership Huddles to daily briefs at the height of the pandemic to allow for this fast and flexible approach.
While we know that communication is always key to effective management, we have heard the stories where organisations faced restructures or changing markets but didn't see the staff as the first port of call. Effective change management requires you to be the information conduit, understand the vision and why it is required, and ensuring that everyone involved has a comprehensive picture of where you are all heading.
As leaders, we have responsibilities to our own managers, boards and shareholders, so they need to know where we are moving our organisation. They pay the piper, and so of course we need to show them how their investment is moving to the most secure and profitable future. But our biggest investment is the people on who we rely on to be on this journey with us.
Without ensuring that our staff are central in change management, we risk alienating them. I recall the feeling of shock by many when we first heard Richard Branson's comment that clients don't come first. Employees come first – and when you treat employees well, care for the clients all flows from that. I love this kind of philosophy, and I would add a coda to it: fully communicate your vision to them – that way they know where you are all heading. Be kind and honest about the challenges you are all facing and how your personal management focusses on their wellbeing and security.
By communicating the hows and whys of any change to staff, you minimise fears, resentment and gossip. Acknowledge the challenges, display your care for people and treat them like equals who are fully capable of carving a new future. We have a number of channels for communication at Newport & Wildman including a weekly Team Update from myself and a Monthly Q&A to ensure we are keeping staff informed and engaged.
We offer a range of services here at Newport & Wildman to support you and your people. Speak to your Relationship Director to get an idea of what particular change strategy suits your organisation best.
Every sector of the country is moving through this changing landscape this year. While some change can be seen coming, sometimes it's a sudden blow across the bow. Responding with clarity and compassion keeps people calm, hopeful – and along with you for the journey.
Sally Kirkright, CEO AccessEAP
Newsletter Cover Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash
