How returning to the office is a big lesson in change management
Dafne Tsakiris
Improve, Streamline & Document Your Business Processes | Process Nerd | Systems Specialist | Efficiency Expert
If you keep any sort of pulse on the news and social media, you have without a doubt seen a story, or two, or ten about a return to office nightmare. No chairs, not enough desks, no monitors or keyboards (you have to bring the ones you originally brought with you to work from home), no building access, office spaces dirty and unstocked, the stories go on.?
These failures by many companies is a big lesson in what unsuccessful change management looks like.?
In any transition, change management is critical. We didn’t really get much of a heads up in 2020 when all of a sudden all of us had to start working from home, no questions asked, just make it work.?
Oh and your kids, spouses, families, roommates, whoever it is you live with, are all going to be home with you too, working, homeschooling, etc. Despite all of this, we made it work, but we had to.?
Many companies are now instituting mandatory days back in the office or a 100% return to office policy. The difference is, there is no need for the change to be sudden this time around. There is no reverse pandemic forcing people out of their homes and into office buildings.?
These companies should be intentional about making this transition (since they chose it) smooth and successful. They need to ensure the process is well-paced and carefully managed to avoid another big shock on everyone's system.?
Most of us finally got used to working from home a few years ago and the thought of going back to an office sounds, to put it mildly, awful. So it is even more important that these companies conduct change management right this time, because they have the time. And guess what? Returning to the office is yet another big change that should be based on change management principles and managed as such.?
Set up appropriate office spaces, restock the office, clean the office, plan some fun lunches, events, happy hours, etc. for the first few months, manage employee expectations, answer questions proactively, address concerns, communicate policies, flexibility, work expectations and communicate WHY this change is happening.?
Effective and successful change management, looks like this:?
Now for the companies who really want to do this right, here are a two more things to consider
What change management success or horror stories do you have??
creating conditions where people thrive, naturally
1 周Yea change management is a good and useful tool to ready people to work in new ways. But it’s not magic. You can’t change manager people to do things they don’t believe in or support. You can, though, force people (most people not all) to do things they don’t want to do. The side effect of doing so though is loss of trust and/or respect, commitment, joy. erc. Choose wisely as all options have consequences.
Successful digital transformation fundamentally depends on the people within the organization.
1 周You should give people a solid reason to come into the office and then double down on demonstrating the true value of meeting in person. Team Building, strategic visioning, coaching and development are good examples. I may be cynical but you might also see a different approach from companies when they have to renew expensive office leases.
Advocate to Construction (AEC) and Private Equity | Property & Casualty | Surety | Benefits | Helping Executives to Reduce their Total Cost of Risk|
1 周Thanks for sharing, good timing!
CEO of the Process Fixer & Process Triage
1 周I think the most important step is why. This is a major disruption but the data is pretty clear. People work better, smarter and faster in a work environment. No matter what anyone says the data is pretty clear - about 20% more work gets done when at the office - that is the average meaning there are some who do better remote and some who do much, much worse. The why is important - even if you disagree with it.
I help service-based entrepreneurs generate more consistent, predictable income in a repeatable way.
2 周This is important in LIFE! Preparing your environment to support your best self and life is so critical.