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Transformations can address many different aspects of an organization: processes, structures, technologies, interfaces, leadership, collaboration culture, and more. However, in any major change process, certain key challenges inevitably arise and must be addressed:

 Merlin Klein

Merlin Klein

Principal & Partner

klein@imap-institut.de

+49 (0) 211 513 69 73 - 13

Projects

A thoughtful change support anticipates these challenges by monitoring them closely, and initiates early, context-sensitive responses.

Key Success Factors of IMAP Change Support

Steering

The start of any change should be preceded by a support concept that synchronizes all initiatives to institutionalize the new ways in the organization and assess their impact, complemented by a visionary “change story” that serves as a communication guide.

Participation of the Leadership Team

Involving the (extended) leadership team already in the design phase of the change not only leads to greater commitment but also ensures that, through diverse perspectives and broad organizational knowledge, the concept and its communication remain relevant and well-connected.

Employee Participation

Even later, during the implementation phase, participation formats involving an extended group of affected individuals remain an effective way to identify and address barriers and resistance early on.

Qualification

The “liminal phase” of transformation (“no longer / not yet”) presents unique challenges for leaders, which they can be prepared for through training and coaching.

Information

Already before and at the start of the implementation phase, stakeholder-appropriate communication campaigns are the most important tool to counteract uncertainty and the typically ongoing spread of misinformation. Credibility and the ability to engage in dialogue are especially crucial for early recognition of the reasons for and benefits of the change.

Common Challenges During Change

Kurt Lewin and later Kübler-Ross developed highly instructive change phase models for transformation processes. These models often demonstrate how early support measures can help ease and shorten productivity-draining phases of resistance to new initiatives on the path to acceptance.

 

We consider the handling of fears and resistance to be a particularly critical success factor. It is important to acknowledge the "pain" and the "frustration" caused by some of the challenges arising during the transition. Openly addressing these reactions reinforces management’s integrity as well as the sincerity and appropriateness of the underlying goals. Therefore, the professional handling of resistance cannot be overstated in terms of its importance and effectiveness.

Put simply: if you wanted to guarantee the failure of a change process, the biggest drivers of that failure would be secrecy, ignoring or downplaying fears, and attempting to “break” resistance.

Fear, shock, and resistance are completely normal and fundamentally sensible human reactions to change.

A frequently observed consequence is that the team in leadership:
  • delays communication until “reliable” information can be provided,
  • simply waits out resistance,
  • downplays points of friction.

This natural but usually counterproductive response from leadership often stems from misunderstandings about the most effective way to manage change.

However, leadership often behaves this way because management itself is already operating in the advanced stages of the change process and therefore naturally views the process and its obstacles differently. For example, leaders may act from the crisis turning point while employees are still experiencing a free fall.


The solution:

We offer professional expectation management for all stakeholders, as well as the organization of exchange and feedback formats wherever appropriate and necessary. Additionally, we develop training programs for those involved in the process—whether as leaders or employee representatives (e.g., change agents)—to act effectively as catalysts for change.

We look forward to your inquiry

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