Be a little Machiavellian

Not much scared Niccolo Machiavelli, but one thing that did was change. "There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things," he wrote 400 years ago.

John Oesch, assistant professor of organizational behaviour at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto, says a huge percentage of change programs fail. "Change management," he says, "is one of the most written about, but least understood, aspects of leadership. While many change leaders follow existing models and perform requisite rituals, too many continue to rely on hope as a strategy for success."

In case hope isn't enough, Oesch offered an audience of business leaders at a recent Rotman seminar some help. He proffered "five unusual ideas about change.":

Idea 1

Rather than emphasize the benefits of the proposed change, highlight the potential losses that will accrue without changing.

Idea 2

Be explicit about "what's in it for me" (i.e., you). If you stand to gain personally from the successful implementation of a change program, Oesch wants you to show your hand.

Idea 3

Recognize the bias toward the status quo. Most people believe inaction is safer than action.

Idea 4

"Pull" can be more powerful than push.

Idea 5

The basic tool of management is data. Companies demand evidence-based approaches to most organizational challenges, except when it comes to change.

Full article from the Calgary Herald here