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:

---

Innovation Management ? the power of decision makers

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Effective Meetings: Why Most Meetings are a Waste of Time

Whether your company holds one meeting a week or dozens... Read More

The Comfort Zone

The Comfort Zone I... Read More

Temporary Employees and Operational Problems; Your Use of Temps Might Reveal Warning Signs

A recent Washington Post article, described the life of temporary... Read More

Lead to Succeed: The Seven Essential Steps to Work Leader Success

In my book "You're In Charge?What Now?" I use a... Read More

Action Learning: Its More Than OJT

For centuries companies have used on-the-job training (OJT). OJT works... Read More

Innovation Management ? Selecting Good Ideas

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Are Your Meetings Smart?

Soon after I finished a brief seminar on how to... Read More

Controlling Your Cash Flow

IntroductionAre you looking for a way to gain control of... Read More

Performance Management - By Assuming Nothing

Unhappy as Jenny undoubtedly was, she held on very tightly... Read More

The Death Spiral

Sometimes things just happen. Maybe we lose focus and take... Read More

Corporate Governance for Business Owners

It is clear that good Corporate Governance is in the... Read More

Are You the Culprit?

Are you a business, non-profit or association manager who pretty... Read More

Hiring and Retaining Good Employees

Hiring good employees is not only important to business, it's... Read More

Problem-Solving Success Tip: Look For Sponsors And Solution Owners

Look for sponsors and solution owners rather than problem owners.Everyone... Read More

Balance Your Managerial Life

We have only one life, but we live in three... Read More

Motivating For Higher Performance

Employee motivation is probably the most important single manageable factor... Read More

Leadership Skill: How to Handle Difficult Conversations

A good leader has the ability to empower others. It... Read More

How Bad Communication Can Hold You Back and How to Break Free of It

The reason jobs are often not done right and employees... Read More

7 Strategies for Sustained Innovation

The need for constant reinvention is a given in today's... Read More

Business & Family Safety and Health Rating

For good reason, practically every endeavor in life is rated.... Read More

Travel the World - for Free!

I have been very fortunate to travel to several countries... Read More

Business Innovation ? Improvisation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Once Upon a Conflict

Once upon a time there lived an innocent, hardworking manager.... Read More

ISO 9001, What Next?

The overriding goal of ISO-14000. (History 1995)As ISO-9000 becomes a... Read More

Strategies for Planning and Conducting Effective Meetings

Did you know that business executives spend about half their... Read More

Improving Your Inter-Company Communications At No Cost

It's all very well having a flashy (and expensive) advertising... Read More

Why Employee Satisfaction Surveys And Employee Exit Surveys Make Good Sense

In a competitive world with the need for businesses to... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Conduct Successful Training Activities

Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More

Why You Should Hold One More Meeting

If you are completely happy with where you and your... Read More

Innovation Management ? Rigorous data analysis

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Developing Your Management Style

One thing a lot of us don't do in sales... Read More

How to Manage Your People Well: Tips for Managers of Training

As a training manager, there are two important aspects to... Read More