Change is good.

Change happens fast here. We are a growth organization, but sometimes it is hard to keep up with all the changes we make, and that is a challenge for some of our people. We often are trying things to see if they will streamline a process or improve the customer experience. It requires a ton of trial and error on our part. Our issue becomes a lack of continuity in how we communicate things we are trying to change. The changes are so frequent they don’t get the attention we think they deserve. Even though we have done the testing and know these ideas are good, they lose energy, and transformation comes slowly.

How can we keep everyone rowing in the same direction every day?

The first thing we must do is recognize what the problem is. For us, we communicated via email to the team about Directive X yet only a small group have embraced it. Even worse, some claim they did not even know about Directive X. There is an issue with internal communication within the organization.

I must first assume that everyone is awesome and is doing their best to help the company be successful. Starting from that point means I have to do something differently if I want Directive X to be received and embraced by all. I must create a more focused approach on the frequency and type of communication we produce, such as email, verbal discussions with the team and visual cues in the form of posters around the office about Directive X.  A few breakout sessions about the why will help solidify the new directive and perhaps a story about how it helped a customer or coworker achieve one of our goals. Incorporating several different methods of communication brings Directive X to light and creates a commitment from the organization to implement the new directive. These strategies are better than a conversation by the water cooler and an assumption that this is where we are going.

I take the responsibility to improve how we communicate. With this responsibility comes the obligation that change happens with me first. If you don’t like something, speak up and offer suggestions for change. If you don’t speak up, you have no right to complain if things are not going your way. You just don’t get to do that. It all starts with you.

We are not the same company we were when we started, and the way we get things done needs to evolve. This acknowledgment is just part of our progress. Taking the time to recognize where we need to change is tough when we are all so busy. But, getting everyone going the same direction will create a better flow.  Keeping people informed is always better if you want to get to your final destination. Solving problems has a systematic effect on everyone, and it opens doors for improvement.  What challenges does your company face and how can you help?

Cheers to change!!

Jeff