How can you make change management learning resources accessible to your team?

Needs assessment should always be the leading task for change management. There’s no solution without identifying what the need is. Don’t make the mistake of assuming what your team needs without asking. This communicates that you don’t value your team and their capabilities in deciding on their own needs and objectives. Change management is unsuccessful without the people, hence include the people. Needs assessment is a great way to do this.

Change management has both emotional and situational factors. People need to know the reason for change, but they also need to be able to orientate themselves and understand their role within the change process. Needs assessment and self assessment tools enable individuals to appreciate their role and their contribution. Can you think of any team sports, such as rugby, football etc. where the players don’t know their position? Of course not. Every player knows their role and their contribution, they understand their area of expertise, and are also aware of the strengths of the other players on the field. A good team is a resilient team, who understand and appreciate one another.

No two people are alike. No two problems can be addressed the same way. Not all changes will be successful with the same resources. Diversify your approach to meet unique and diverse needs to create sustainable changes.

First, I identify the key resources, such as online courses, webinars, articles, and case studies, relevant to our industry and objectives. Then create a centralized digital repository. We use Teams, where all team members can easily access these materials. Make sure the resources are organized into categories for easy navigation and include a brief description of each resource. It helps team members choose what's most relevant to them. As part of our regular team meetings, I dedicate time share insights and encourage a culture of continuous learning.

Organize for easy access. Share for growth and development. Allot time for use and clarity. Have an open mind for feedback, questions and concerns. All of this communicate that you and your team are a unit for change and each part of the unit is equally valuable.

An effective strategy is to create a collaborative learning space. Imagine a virtual place where each team member can contribute and share interesting articles or books. This not only enriches the collective knowledge but also fosters a culture of continuous learning. Consider using a platform like Notion for this purpose. It’s renowned for its flexibility and user-friendly interface, making it an ideal choice for team collaboration. You can encourage your team to contribute on a weekly or monthly basis, though the ideal scenario is for contributions to flow naturally. This approach not only makes learning resources more accessible but also enhances team engagement and fosters a more dynamic learning environment.

Learning and professional development are crucial to advancement and success. Fostering a work environment that encourages self analysis and development helps teammates to create a toolkit of adaptability. I encourage my teams to share their experiences at least weekly and ask everyone to share where they might need support. Those conversations are the most accessible learning resource that teams can have- and they develop them together!