No one said it would be easy.
“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.” Nicolo Machiavelli
And that is why organizational change relies so heavily on leading change. When something new is introduced, regardless of its merit, the organization’s autoimmune system kicks in. Resistance is the result.
Leaders need to pay close attention to the messages, the mental models, and the mood. What people think, the degree to which they are involved, and where they see themselves fitting matters…..a lot.
Just started performance appraisals…….. Aaargh!