The human side of change: Success starts and ends with your people

At the heart of any organisational change is people – those leading it, those implementing it, and those being impacted by it. Not only is change accelerating but it’s also becoming increasingly complex – demanding a more human-centred approach.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report found that organisations are anticipating major transformation barriers ahead, with 63% citing skills gaps as the primary obstacle in the next five years, and 46% pointing to organisational culture and resistance to change – both increases on previous reporting cycles.

To successfully navigate these hurdles, organisations will need to support the human side of change – a responsibility that both business and people leaders will play a pivotal role in.

Data has become the forgotten king for those leading change

Organisational change can never succeed without a comprehensive understanding of the workforce – where its strengths lie, which gaps need to be bridged, and how skills can be mobilised. Data, when leveraged correctly, can provide these insights and determine transformation success; and yet it remains a chronically underutilised resource.

Less than half (47%) of HR teams have access to predictive analysis to support workforce planning, while even fewer (43%) business leaders say they utilise assessments to support change readiness in their people. It’ll come as no surprise then that only a third (33%) of HR leaders believe their organisation is effective at using data to support organisational transformation.

In failing to utilise assessments and the data they generate, organisations are failing to leverage the full potential of their workforce during times of change – limiting their chances of successful implementation.

People leaders are ill-equipped to support those on the ground

Another success limiting factor for organisational change is people leaders being left without the tools, skills and experience required to support those around them. Change and uncertainty will inevitably result in heightened stress and resistance from employees, all of which will require empathetic, human-centred support to navigate.

Unfortunately, 1 in 5 HR leaders say their business hasn’t provided targeted development support for those managing change, despite the fact that all of them had seen change fatigue manifested in their employees. And with the vast majority of employees (87%) in agreement that a positive experience of change is dependent on empathetic leadership, it’s concerning that 1 in 6 change leaders admit to having little or no experience in leading change.

If those responsible for supporting the emotional toll of change feel ill-equipped to do so, is it any surprise that 57% of people believe their organisation is poor at managing these initiatives?

Coaching and assessment hold the key to success

All that said, there are definitive steps that organisations can take to begin shifting the dial in their favour.

Utilise assessments to mobilise talent:

When change is on the horizon, it’s crucial to have a clear view of the organisation and its people. Workforce assessments can provide business leaders with the insights needed to:

• Understand which individuals possess the qualities needed to lead change
• Identify transferable skills and opportunities for internal redeployment to retain key talent
• Pinpoint skill gaps and begin implementing targeted development initiatives to create a futureproofed workforce
  
  

Coach to equip leaders for success:

At the same time, people leaders will need to feel confident in their own ability to support the wider workforce during any transformation initiative. Coaching support can help them:

• Overcome their own feelings of doubt around their ability to manage change
• Develop the skills needed to support their people through times of uncertainty
• Identify solutions to challenges as they arise so that implementation remains uninterrupted

Organisations that ensure everyone involved in change is equipped with both the skills and understanding needed to effectively manage it, are 6.4x more likely to see their initiatives succeed.

To find out how our experts can provide the all-important human connection during times of change and help your people navigate the complexities of organisational transformation, get in touch with us today.