Change management is a highly rewarding, yet equally challenging field, requiring seemingly continuous adaptation and growth. To stay on top of their game, change managers should be mindful of certain pitfalls that can hinder their effectiveness and personal development. Here are the top three to avoid:
Avoid Neglecting Your Continuous Learning and Development
Many change managers are contractors whose ongoing learning is not sponsored by their employer. Even when training is available, it can be difficult to find the time and identify suitable development opportunities. However, neglecting continuous learning and development can lead to falling behind in current methods and feeling a lack of personal growth.
Solution: Engage in regular professional development through various avenues:
Courses and Workshops: Enrol in relevant courses and attend workshops to stay updated with the latest trends and techniques.
Networking: Connect with other professionals in the field to exchange knowledge and experiences.
Industry Memberships: Join professional organisations to access resources and stay informed about industry standards.
Reading: Keep up with current literature on change management to broaden your understanding and skills.
Avoid Inconsistent Communication and Lack of Clear Standards
Inconsistent communication and confusion about methods and standards can cause misalignment and inefficiencies. This issue often arises because change managers come from diverse fields and backgrounds, each bringing different tools and approaches. While having a variety of tools is beneficial, they can sometimes work at cross purposes.
Communication Plan: Create a comprehensive plan that details how information will be shared and who is responsible for each communication task.
Standardisation: Establish clear standards and methods to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Stakeholder Alignment: Regularly update all stakeholders to maintain alignment and prevent misunderstandings.
Avoid Ignoring Personal Motivation and Well-being
Overlooking personal motivation can lead to burnout and decreased effectiveness. Change environments can be tough, and it’s natural for the challenging nature of the work to take its toll. Ignoring dips in personal motivation can exacerbate these issues.
Solution: Prioritise self-care and seek feedback regularly:
Self-Care: Make time for activities that rejuvenate you, whether it’s exercise, hobbies, or relaxation.
Feedback: Regularly seek feedback from peers, a coach and supervisors to stay motivated and identify areas for improvement.
Personal Goals: Set achievable personal goals and celebrate small wins to maintain a sense of progress and motivation.
Top Three Pitfalls Change Managers Should Avoid
There may be multiple levels of demands on you - everyone wants deliverables, but no-one wants to talk you through the details. Managing change can feel like being pulled in all directions, while simultaneously being denied a seat at the table. Carrying on with positive energy, forward planning and a dedicated outlook can be difficult when you're feeling under pressure. Lacking information and support can feel like you're not an equal member of the team.
Because we work with people, sometimes change management isn't easy. Priorities and agendas differ. Don't give up! Avoiding these top three pitfalls and working through the hurdles, can provide change managers a rewarding career with significance and purpose. You will already be having more of an impact on others than you know.
Change managers can enhance their effectiveness, ensure personal growth, and maintain high levels of motivation.
Agencia Change offers the very popular Accelerate Program. Some consider this a change management reset. You'll work with a coach and revisit the management of change end-to-end, talking to your real-world experiences. Accelerate is battle-tested and proven to manage the process of change management by guiding practitioners to focus on the most value-adding steps to plan and deliver change in an express timeframe.
To discuss your development needs, book in a free, confidential introduction to our services.
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