Icebergs, Polar Bears, and Change Management

Guest post by: Ben Nash
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Keeping the Change Process Cool - By Ben Nash

Vanishing icebergs and distressed Polar bears have come to symbolize the effects of our changing climate. The iceberg has also been used as a metaphor for change in organizations. The “Change Management Iceberg” developed by Wilfred Kruger offers an explanation of why many organizational change efforts fail. Above the waterline are the three areas of concern of most managers–doing things faster, better, or cheaper. Below the waterline are the hidden areas of resistance which cause organizations fail!

So where are the areas of main resistance? About 20% of employees will go with the change. About 60% sit on the fence and wait to see what happens, and about 20% of employees will be resistant. Perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, power, and politics all play into resistance. But this is hard to pinpoint (after all it is below the water line). So how do you deal with the areas of resistance? 3 words COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION!

Here are five key messages to give focus on:

Explain the conditions that have brought about the need for change
Explain the detail of the change and how it will affect the employee
Include a practical demonstration or teach the employee how to succeed in the new environment
Ask the employee how s/he feels about the proposals; identify his/her major hang-ups and recognize any new problems
Ask for his/her suggestions for overcoming the problems and implementing the change using a joint problem solving approach

Communicating these message may not do much for climate change, but it may be key in successful organizational change!

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Keeping the Change Process Cool - By Ben Nash

About the Author: Ben Nash

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Ben Nash is the editor-in-chief of DailyHRTips.com. He is the founder and chief developer of the blog, providing tech/design support as well as tips and book reviews. Ben has held many interesting jobs in his professional career, including: barista, landscaper, public policy intern, barista (again), professional horse wrangler, ski lift attendant (aka "liftie"), political science teaching assistant, marketing and sales assistant, and an ecommerce/web developer. He also doubles as the Creative Director at Aspen Organization Development Consulting. Ben has interacted with many people, in many different organizations and offers some interesting insight on the human resources game. You can read his blog at http://www.DailyHRTips.com and visit his website at http://www.AspenOD.com.

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Icebergs, Polar Bears, and Change Management

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