Adaptability is not an option, it's a necessity: are you ready to embrace it?

Imagine you're a surgeon using the same scalpel for every operation, regardless of the procedure. Absurd, isn't it? Yet, this is exactly what many change management professionals do.

According to a recent McKinsey study, 70% of change initiatives fail. Why? Because we've fallen into the trap of 'insanity', as defined by Einstein: 'Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results'.

I've seen Fortune 500 companies collapse and promising startups stagnate, all victims of a rigid approach to change. But I've also witnessed spectacular transformations when leaders dared to question their methods.

In this article, I invite you on a bold journey. We'll deconstruct the myths of change management, explore why we resist evolving our practices, and most importantly, discover how to adapt our strategies to finally achieve the results we desperately seek.

Why are we tempted to always do the same thing?

There are several reasons why change management professionals may be tempted to always do the same thing. First, there's the question of familiarity. We tend to feel more comfortable with methods and strategies we know well, even if they don't always work. Then there's the issue of time pressure. When faced with tight deadlines, it can be tempting to use tried-and-tested methods rather than taking the time to think about new approaches. Finally, there's the question of resistance to change. People tend to resist changes, and this can be particularly true when it comes to changing change management methods and strategies.?

It can also happen that the client forces us to do the same things. In some cases, clients are accustomed to a traditional interpretation of change management, based on fixed and non-adaptable deliverables. They may resist new approaches and insist that change management professionals follow the methods and processes they already know. This issue can be particularly challenging for change management consultants, who must find a balance between client expectations and the organization's real needs. In such cases, it's important to clearly communicate the benefits of a more adaptive approach and work closely with the client to find solutions that meet both their expectations and the organization's needs.?

Why must we adapt our strategies and methods?

If we want to get different results, we must be ready to adapt our strategies and methods to the contexts in which we work. Each organization, each team, and each individual is unique, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution in change management. By adapting our strategies and methods, we can better understand the specific needs and challenges we face, and develop tailored approaches to address them.?

Adopting an agile change management strategy is increasingly important in a constantly evolving environment. Agile methods allow for greater flexibility and better adaptation to complex changes. By using agile methods such as Scrum or Kanban, change management professionals can work closely with stakeholders to develop customized solutions and quickly adapt to changing needs. Agile methods also encourage open and transparent communication, which can help strengthen stakeholder trust and buy-in to changes. In short, adopting an agile change management strategy can help change management professionals respond more effectively to the complex and changing challenges they face.

How to adapt our strategies and methods?

To adapt our strategies and methods, we must be ready to step back and critically reflect on our current approaches. Here are some steps we can follow:

1. Assess needs: Before developing a change management strategy, we need to understand the specific needs and challenges we face. This involves working closely with stakeholders to understand their concerns and expectations.

2. Analyze contextual factors: We need to consider contextual factors that can influence the success of change management. These may include factors such as organizational culture, organizational structure, work processes, and technologies used.

3. Develop tailored approaches: Once we understand the needs and contextual factors, we can develop tailored approaches to address the specific challenges we face. This may involve using different methods and tools from those we've used in the past.

4. Test and adjust: We must be ready to test our approaches and adjust them based on the results obtained. This involves monitoring progress and making adjustments if necessary.

Conclusion?

It's time to take action and revolutionize our approach to change management.

Remember:

1. Adaptability is not an option, it's a necessity.

2. Each context is unique and deserves a tailored approach.

3. Agility is your best ally in a constantly evolving world.

Change begins with us. As change management professionals, we have the responsibility to lead by example. Let's dare to question our methods, experiment with new approaches, and learn from our failures as well as our successes.

I challenge you: identify a method you use out of habit and find a way to adapt or replace it in your next project. Share your experience in the comments - together, we can evolve our profession.

Don't forget: real change doesn't happen in our comfort zone. It's time to step off the beaten path and redefine what it means to be a change management expert in the 21st century.