Gaining Support
For the Change to succeed, you need to shape the politics in order to
gain the support needed.
The Force Field diagnosis shown below helps in formulating a
strategy for this. This views the organisation as being in a
political balance at the current state and in order to move to the
desired future state, either the supporting forces must increase, or the
opposing forces be lessened. In practice, the latter is the most
effective strategy.
Having identified the forces, the change
manager has three broad options:-
1. Get Support of Key Power Groups/Individuals
You will need to build a `critical mass' of support for the change.
Identify the key players and build support with them through:
- Participation/consultation
- Bargaining deals
- Isolation (or removal)
Below is a simple
mapping tool that can help in this.
2. Market the Change
People rarely support something that looks marginal or destined for
failure.
The change may need to be `marketed' in terms of creating
an identity for the change and the appearance of a critical mass of
support. Here, language is important - using words (value for
money) and symbols that link it to people's needs, and perhaps linking
it to other initiatives or “flavours of the month” seen to be succeeding
(piggy-back marketing).
3. Use `Magic Leadership' Skills
Get someone involved who can `lead' the change.
`Role model'
behaviour, articulate the `vision', reward supporters, provide support
and resources, remove roadblocks, and send signals through the
`grapevine'.
Few managers can do all of this themselves. In most cases we
need to first form an `inner circle' of supporters with complementary
skills, connection, and credibilities.
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Implementation Balls