Five Reasons Why Leaders Fail to Create Successful Change

A bold title, don't you think? I mean, change is a complex thing, so to define five reasons seems to oversimplify the issue.

Let me be clear. There are far more pitfalls than these and far more possible reasons change doesn't have the desired effect. The key in this title isn't "Five Reasons," it is "Leaders Fail." Yes, there are many variables that can influence the success of change ? but some of them must be owned by those leading the change.

This article will identify some of those typical failures, and while it can't in this brief format give you all the answers, it can point you in the right direction and give you some suggested courses of action.

Lack of Commitment

George knew he had to shake things up in his team. Other departments were complaining that his department wasn't responsive or even accurate in their work at times. So he started looking for ways to improve some work processes and get the team's attention. He held a couple of meetings to explain the situation and ask for suggestions. He even got volunteers to look at some of the work processes and got the group some help to make this happen. But deep down, George didn't want to make these changes. He was happy with his team. He didn't have any major problems internally and was afraid these work process reviews were going to reveal that he had people that would need to go.

George was mouthing the words of change, but he wasn't really committed to the change himself.

Want to create successful change? Get committed!

Lack of Communication

Lisa had explained the case for change clearly, so she thought. She even talked to some of her VP's and Department Heads and they agreed ? her message was firm, strong and hopeful. Everyone should clearly understand the reasons for this change and the steps that the organization would be taking. Three months later Lisa wondered what had gone wrong. What she didn't realize was that successful change requires more than just great initial communication ? it also requires ongoing formal and informal repeating of these messages. Communicating and communicating; both for clarity and for comfort, so people really get it.

Want successful change? Communicate, communicate and communicate. Early and often, formally and informally.

Lack of Patience

Tom got it. He really understood why this change was important. Admittedly, it took him awhile to really get on board, but once he got it, he was 100% committed. Soon he was showing impatience with everyone else, asking himself things like: Why isn't this change happening faster? Why aren't people on board? Why is there still resistance? Unfortunately he forgot how long it took him to really get committed. Tom made the mistake of assuming that everyone "gets it" at the same rate. It takes some people longer to become comfortable with a change. It doesn't make them bad or dumb or lazy or unmotivated. The fact is not everyone gets on board the same day.

Want successful change? Be patient and realize that lasting change will take time.

Lack of Emotion

Lois had laid out the plan. Her logic was impeccable. She had been meticulous in explaining the reasons for the change and the steps that would be taken. She described what the organization would look like when the change was complete. She has answered every question patiently and completely. And she was surprised that the change effort was falling flat. What had she done wrong? Everything she did was fine, just incomplete.

Incomplete, because Lois focused on getting people to understand the change, and this isn't the same as accepting the change. Acceptance requires more than just the facts and figures.

Want successful change? Remember that people need more than the facts. They need to understand the change emotionally and intuitively in order to accept and embrace the change ? and you want acceptance, not understanding.

Lack of Knowledge

Mike knew he had to make a change in his organization. But he had lived through so many unsuccessful change efforts that he didn't know if it was possible to really create meaningful change. He was committed to the change, believed in it, but didn't know how to make it happen. He didn't even know where to start.

Want successful change? Learn what you need to do to succeed!

In Closing

The five reasons why leaders fail to create successful change:

? They aren't committed

? They stop communicating too soon

? They aren't patient

? They don't present an emotional case for change

? They don't know how

Which reasons are getting in your way?

Kevin Eikenberry is Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group (http://KevinEikenberry.com), a learning consulting company that helps Clients reach their potential through a variety of training, consulting and speaking services. To receive your free special report on "Unleashing Your Potential" go to http://www.kevineikenberry.com/uypw/index.asp or call us at (317) 387-1424 or 888.LEARNER.

In The News:

---

Supervisor-Employee Relations: Tips For Managers

Supervisor-employee relations are a critical part of a work place... Read More

Managing Change - Get it Right

In any event, getting the process right is a vital... Read More

A Fast and Simple Way to Update Your Business

You open your computer, the flashing button says, "We have... Read More

Strategic Clarity for Communication Management

Over the past few weeks I've been developing plans for... Read More

Allowing Employees Responsibility

Merely assigning a task with detailed instructions is not effective... Read More

The Role of the Machine Metaphor in Mixed-initiative Organizational Leadership

"Can This Marriage be Saved?" So reads the title of... Read More

Negative Self-talk is Too Expensive

I'm always fascinated by the people who lift huge weights,... Read More

Project Management - Preventing Project Slips

Can Project Managers prevent projects from slipping?Ask a techie to... Read More

Employee Turnover: Is It Eating Up Your Profits?

Keeping the cost of doing business down, yet providing a... Read More

3 Innovation Keys - Do Your Innovative Efforts Need More Power?

Recently, I attended a webinar with nearly 400 other Chief... Read More

Time Management Tip: Stop Micro-Managing Employees

If I was a fly on the wall what would... Read More

Summertime Blues

It's hard to believe the year will be half over... Read More

From Boring to Interesting - Making Training Effective

Being a good trainer requires experience and skill. Experience comes... Read More

Problem-Solving Success Tip: Test Your Assumptions About Everything

Test your assumptions about everything.Assumptions have a way of creeping... Read More

Cultural Differences: Making it Work Virtually

Working virtually adds a whole new dimension to the phrase... Read More

Eliminate Performance Anxiety Forever

You've had many years of training in your craft as... Read More

One Crazy Cookie

In order to survive, you have to be happier than... Read More

Integrity... Should It Matter?

In our fast paced work culture, manned by technology savvy... Read More

Executive Performance -- Whos to Blame for Incompetent Managers?

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal raised the... Read More

The Challenges of Human Resource Management

IntroductionThe role of the Human Resource Manager is evolving with... Read More

Before You Head Off, Make Sure You Know Where You Are Going - The Importance of Clear Objectives.

The title of this article sounds like simple advice, but... Read More

Productive Meetings: How to Make Your Meetings More Productive

There's one simple secret to effective meetings: set an agenda... Read More

Five Defining Characteristics of Great CEOs

1. Personal insight. Great CEOs are great leaders. They know... Read More

Smart Hiring: What Makes the Right Employee?

Good hires do not happen by accident or luck. In... Read More

Performance Evaluation: How To Create Change

STEPS TOWARDS GIVING A GOOD APPRAISAL INTERVIEW: Give specific feedback.... Read More

How To Decrease Profits Without Really Trying

Hurting your sales efforts can be accomplished easily with the... Read More

Leadership in Troubled Times

Leadership in Troubled Times The... Read More

Faith is the LIFE-blood of Your ACTIONS before the Benefit -

Nothing has changed. Your ancestors lived by faith. Some planted... Read More

Delegating Responsibility

Too many managers waste both time and energy performing tasks... Read More

Preparing a Budget

Ok, you say, I know I need a budget, but... Read More

Parenting Your Employees to Better Performance

Have you ever worked for someone who was such a... Read More

First Things First -- Process BEFORE Technology

Here's a brief story I encountered while leaving Newark International... Read More

Retaining An Expert -- What Every Business Owner Needs To Know

As an entrepreneur, hiring an expert can be one of... Read More