The Sykes Group's OnPoint

“Change is happening faster than we can keep tabs on and threatens to shake the foundations of the most secure American business.” - U.S. Congress Office of Technology

Change is occurring all around us everyday.  Most changes are small and go unnoticed by us.  Think about your daily ride to work and notice what changes are taking place over the course of a week:  possible changes in traffic patterns, new stores opening, weather patterns, etc.  Each day we adapt to the changing situations without even thinking about it, and we achieve our goals.

The organizations we work for are going through change to adapt to a very competitive marketplace.  Most organizational change, much like your daily commute, is subtle.  Some changes create a variety of emotions among employees:  from joy and enthusiasm to distrust and anger.

The best organizations create a strong culture of change management.  In fact, management at these organizations is constantly encouraging change for the good of the overall organization.

The following are seven change management secrets to creating a winning culture of change:

1. Understand the Present
   Take the time to ask questions to understand where the culture of change presently stands. Examples of questions great managers of change are consistently asking to ensure the success of change are the following:
   • Do employees understand the difference they make at work everyday?
   • Are there strong relationships between employees and management?
   • Is there an environment of openness and trust?
   • Is there an understanding of mission, purpose, beliefs, and business goals?
   • Do we have an environment of learning, growth, and empowerment?

   Take the time to ask these and other questions and, most importantly, listen to the answers.

2. Recognize That Change Management Culture Starts at the Top
   As a leader, you set the tone for change management. If you express or show a negative attitude towards the change, the culture for change will have negative results. If your attitude towards change is positive, then the culture for change will have positive results. Constantly communicate the positive overall results from the change and how the employee will benefit from this change. (Read the rest of the article at Change Management)

In this ever changing world we live in, there is one constant…change. Changes are happening faster and faster. Even what is changing has a different look. Just think of the items in your life that were not available 20, 10, 5 years, or even one year ago. Just think of the iPod, cloning, DNA, etc. Why would we think our career situation will be the same in twenty years?