Just as change is an inevitable part of life, it’s also an inevitable part of work. Businesses need to stay agile and adapt to change in order to grow and succeed. But business change can be a challenging time for both management and colleagues, for whom a sense of uncertainty can affect motivation, productivity and commitment.

According to renowned management consultant, Philip Crosby, “slowness to change usually means fear of the new.” So how do we – as business leaders – navigate change in a way that reduces fear and uncertainty, and keeps our people feeling motivated and secure as they come with us on the journey?
To put it simply, there are five things we need to do:
1. Stay flexible: Bear in mind that your HR strategies will need to change and adapt according to changing business needs. As things change, expect the unexpected and be prepared to adapt to it.
2. Communicate clearly: Keep colleagues informed about what’s changing and why this is happening. Help them understand how the changes will benefit them and allow them the opportunity to communicate back to you with their comments, suggestions and concerns. Clear communication will prevent people from feeling they’re being kept in the dark and will help keep morale high during times of change.
3. Prioritise colleague engagement: Involve colleagues in decision-making processes during periods of change. By adopting a ‘co-creation’ approach, your people will feel included, valued and invested in the change. This also helps foster a culture of transparency and inclusivity in your business, maintaining the trust your people have in your leadership.
4. Provide support: Make sure you provide training and resources to help everyone navigate changes effectively and confidently. For example, learning new systems and processes can be daunting for some people. Providing people with the skills they need to carry out their roles will help reduce any impact of change on productivity and performance, helping to keep your business running smoothly.
5. Monitor progress: Regularly assess the impact of your HR strategies and be prepared to make any changes you find are necessary. Agile HR management practices will help keep your business strong into the future, enabling you to continue to grow while remaining as resilient as possible.
And if you need a guide along the way? Ambition HR is here to help. As your strategic HR partner, we work with you to align your business and HR objectives, developing bespoke people plans and helping you put these plans into action. If you feel like you’d benefit from an informal chat about your business needs, you can schedule a call online today.
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