How do you create company change? You have to work from the inside out; from the top down. It must be a cultural change that is understood and embraced by all from the company leaders to those on the front line.
Ronell Smith is a business strategist and has created the following infographic that outlines a process for creating company change. His article, Why Lasting Change Must Come from Within, provides the details behind the graphic. Certainly, the quest to increase the number of women in technology and the diversity around the table is a corporate change that has to start from the inside.
In his article, Ronell speaks to the fact that leaders must empower their team to be part of the process for change: Replace control and authority with empowerment. A similar approach enacted by members of your leadership team is likely to earn praise and increase positive results.
Part of that empowerment requires a true understanding by the entire company of why the changes need to take place. Just sending out an email won’t do the trick.
“I have accepted fear as part of life, specifically the fear of change. I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: Turn back.” Erica Jong
Clearly communicate the reasons for the change, allow for questions, encourage involvement and ideas and seek out those interested in becoming change agents.
Change Agents Help Create Company Change
In an article entitled 5 Ways to Change Your Company from Business Insider, they speak more specifically about change agents:
Become a change agent – Change agents are a catalyst for growth within an organization. They stop at nothing to do what is right for the good of the company. They work across the seams of the company to push efficiency in every facet. Become an agent of change and create a company of change agents, soldiers for growth and all things more effective.
The success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of people with a particular and rare set of social gifts. Malcom Gladwell
What are the characteristics of a Change Agent?
George Couros offers five:
- Clear Vision
- Patient yet persistent
- Asks tough questions
- Knowledgeable and leads by example
- Strong relationships built on trust
Having a clear vision may be the most important characteristic if you what to create company change consistently across your business.
A “change agent” does not have to be the person in authority, but they do however have to have a clear vision and be able to communicate that clearly with others. Where people can be frustrated is if they feel that someone is all over the place on what they see as important and tend to change their vision often. It is essential to note that a clear vision does not mean that there is one way to do things; in fact, it is essential to tap into the strengths of the people you work with and help them see that there are many ways to work toward a common purpose.
Building a diverse thought leadership team that includes gender and ethnic diversity will require that you create company change. If you need help in assessing your current position and creating a strategy for making change happen – contact TSW – We can help.
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Via AkkenCloud
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JJ DiGeronimo — the president of Tech Savvy Women — is a speaker, author, and thought leader for women in tech and girls and STEM. Through her work, JJ empowers professional women and consults with senior executives on strategies to retain and attract women in technology to increase thought and leadership diversity within organizations.
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