We've all heard those stories of resistance to change within organisations but how do you handle them when they come your way? Today I’m chatting with change management consultant and founder of Casa de Cambio, Natasha Redmond, who has a wealth of experience in navigating the turbulent seas of change within some of Australia's largest companies.
In this episode, we explore strategies to better understand stakeholders, enhance change communication, build change capability, and address resistance at the root cause. Whether you're in the midst of a change initiative or want to prepare for future challenges, this episode is a goldmine of insights and practical tips.
Change management can be a rollercoaster ride, and sometimes the reactions to it can be downright baffling. Natasha shares some of her craziest experiences, including a particularly intense encounter with a resistant team. Natasha emphasises that people rarely resist change for no reason, so it's crucial to delve deeper and understand what's truly driving their resistance.
It’s easy to label people as resistant but Natasha argues that this is overly simplistic and shifts the focus away from the role of change managers and leaders in creating a conducive environment for change. Instead, she encourages change practitioners to look inward, reflect on their approach, and consider whether they've missed crucial steps in the change process.
One key strategy Natasha emphasises is the importance of understanding stakeholders and involving them in the change process. Building relationships, capturing requirements, and co-designing solutions can make a significant difference. This is where communication also plays a pivotal role. We talk about not relying solely on emails for communication and the importance of diverse communication formats, such as face-to-face meetings, FAQs, town halls, and Lean Coffee sessions. The goal is to provide information in multiple ways, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to absorb and ask questions about the change.
While building change capability within an organisation is important, change fatigue can occur when employees are bombarded with continuous changes, leading to resistance. Therefore, it's essential to strike a balance between building capability and making hard decisions about which changes are truly critical.
We also talk about the role of leadership and how to navigate a situation where even senior leaders are resistant to change. Natasha shares an example of how she dealt with this exact scenario and the importance of setting clear expectations early in the change process.
Natasha shares so many practical tips and insightful lessons on the complexities of change within organisations and I know you’re going to get so much value from this conversation.
LINKS
Connect with Natasha Redman:
Website:https://www.casadecambio.com.au/
Podcast:Casa de Cambio
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasharedman/
Connect with me:
Download my ChatGPT Cheat Sheet here!
Website: https://www.everchange.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkatebyrne
