How can you make the most of your sixth year in a Change Management career?

Seems like an oddly specific question. But by the sixth year you will have probably worked on one or two large projects and may have been on the change team of a very large transformation. As well as managed end-to-end a handful of smaller initiatives. Time to think of becoming the lead on a major piece of work if you are not already. Begin by sharing that goal with peers, bosses and colleagues. Ask for feedback on how you can get better. Contribute to forums, internally and externally to your company, about lessons learnt. Also, write on LinkedIn - I should have started MUCH earlier.

Leading any organisational change efforts requires an enormous amount of personal resilience and the endurance to keep going - your biggest challenge is influencing and managing a diverse range of people who all have a different view and experiences on how change is to be enabled. Leading change should not be underestimated - at times, people think you are an organisational psychologist who will solve all the people's issues, and other times - people still do not understand why you are there. My advice is always to make sure you assess the business environment to understand the level of change maturity and understanding - this will help you then to develop some organisational change management 101 education sessions.

The CMI competency framework is a great place to start. I'd say at the 6 year mark, you'd want to assess against the Foundational level and see where you are in the Specialist level. For example in Facilitating Change, you would evaluate your skills on: - principles of change - the environment - business focus - change readiness - culture awareness

The question you need to answer for yourself is do you love what you are doing? i.e. change management (or change leadership). If the answer is yes, do you want to continue growing in this field?...if the answer is yes, then ask yourself, where can I contribute more? what are the latest trends? what can I do to improve my skill set? What are the other fields (for example cognitive psychology, behavioral science, etc.) which are associated with Change Management from which I can benefit? What does the latest research in change management reveal? Try writing articles, blogs, making videos about the concepts you love and for which there is a need or there are many misconceptions about...You need to be intrinsically motivated!

Companies should thoroughly assess their change management capabilities using models like Prosci ADKAR or the ACMP standard. It's crucial to solicit feedback from all organizational levels to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Leveraging external consultants with a strong strategic planning and stakeholder engagement background can provide an objective perspective and help benchmark against industry best practices.

In the sixth year of a Change Management career, setting clear goals and a robust development plan is crucial. As a global expert, I recommend focusing on acquiring advanced skills and strategic insights through mentorship, networking, and continuous education. Pursue certifications and courses that align with emerging trends and technologies in Change Management. Emphasize on taking leadership roles in challenging projects, demonstrating your ability to drive transformation effectively. This proactive approach enhances your expertise, positions you as a thought leader, and opens doors to new opportunities in the dynamic field of Change Management.

Here's some tips to get started 1. Identify a specific aspect of change management (e.g., cultural change, digital transformation) to deepen your expertise. 2. Aim for a leadership role in a complex change project, showcasing your experience in steering teams through challenges. 3. Consider finding a mentor within the organisation or industry who has experience in your targeted areas of growth. Or, hiring a coach to provide personalised guidance for your career advancement.

Organizations need to clearly define their short- and long-term change management goals, aligning them with their overall business strategy. It is essential to develop an actionable plan to upskill their teams in critical areas such as digital transformation and data analytics. Companies should consider investing in training and certifications for their staff or hiring experts with proven experience in leading successful change initiatives across various industries.

Companies should actively participate in professional associations like ACMP and PMI to stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in change management. Hosting or contributing to events and publications can enhance their visibility and position them as thought leaders. Creating opportunities for employees to engage in these activities can also foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

Be intentional about putting yourself 'out of your comfort zone'. If you have expertise in any one of the components like Training or Communications, make sure to take ownership of the bigger piece. No two change management projects are similar and that's the beauty of it. If you get a choice experiment with the permutation and combination of sector and change type. This will skyrocket your learning in OCM ?? OCM humbles and delights you at the same time. All the best ??

To remain competitive, companies must be willing to experiment with new technologies and methodologies in their change management practices. Incorporating agile approaches, design thinking, and emerging digital tools can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of change initiatives. Collaborating with experts from various disciplines can bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to complex change challenges.

Yes! Benchmarking, ongoing and continuous learning— continuing your education to stay on top of and ahead of the latest techniques and tools — particularly from the psychology and culture aspects needed to make that change a success story.

I wonder why 6th year? Anyway, the article missed coaching and mentoring. Yes, it was mentioned, but not in the way that I would expect. I'm referring to focusing on others, not yourself. By year 6, you've worked with others in the field and have experience. Engage with those newly entering the filed, take them 'under your wing', be humble, share knowledge, and help others grow. This isn't about telling them what to do; it's about learning together. I've gained so much from mentoring new change managers. They taught me things I didn't know, didn't see, and improved my skills through working on theirs. This activity improves the change management field for everyone. My 'students' have been my best 'teachers'. Give back to go forward.

Also consider formal education to upskill. Explore enrolling in advanced courses or certifications that align with your specialised focus or leadership development. For true growth, my suggestion is to regularly seek feedback from colleagues, different team members, and mentors to identify opportunities for improvement. Self-assessment can only take you so far.