Why is "Change" the most difficult aspect in transformation?
This has been talked long and wide across all stages ..Yet "CHANGE" continues to be the most difficult , painstaking , time consuming aspect for all transformation projects . May be it is time we "change" the way look at "change" !! I see some hidden dimensions we usually tend to over look while approaching the management of "CHANGE"
- It is all the time associated with human behavior and comfort
- Degree of resistance to change is directly proportionate with the age of legacy . More the number of years some one lived with an old habit more the resistance to transition
- People impacted by change are not convinced with the "Why this transformation project" question .
- There is shortage of confidence in people who are supposedly to be leading the Change
- Leadership expect drastic changes at the execution levels but not willing to adopt minor modifications in their ways of management
- Change management programs designed with absolute rigidity and global frameworks .
- Impact assessments tend to be mere template filling exercise rather than free flow of opinions and consensus
- Majority criteria for transition not defined . It could be 1 most influential person against 10 or 3 important process owners against 25 . Getting every one agree to change may be waiting for infinity
Lets look at some of worlds best change management histories
1. Industrial Revolution to Going Green - Productivity to being eco friendly . The game for corporations have changed significantly and any programs /initiatives that overlooks "Green" is not welcome any more
2. Computers V/s Mobiles - Internet and computers took much longer and went through difficult times before establishing compared to much more simplified and affordable mobile technology . You can observe points about rigidity, confidence and comfort relevant to this change
Is complexity of what we do a critical factor in defining the change ? I think so . At times it is about how simple is the new method/ old one that determines level of resistance in adoption . Simplicity is truly a state of mind . It is not about having very basic level user intervention that does not demand any brain work . It is about reducing steps involved in process and minimizing human effort .
When transformation programs are designed it is almost important to be clear on the extent of change management efforts involved in. It is more important to analyse , assess and identify the potential reasons by "Change" will be the most difficult aspect in your project .