Implementing change in an organization is never easy. Let’s face it — even when the current situation is not ideal, people often prefer the comfort of what they know rather than face the discomfort of the unknown. Which makes changing procedures or processes in your department difficult, even when your reasons for the change are sound. In such situations, one way to add momentum to your change effort is to make sure that you identify and celebrate milestones along the way. However, you have to make sure that these milestones are meaningful. Pick targets that are relevant and that actually demonstrate real progress towards the end goal. And make sure that they are easily visible. For example, holding a community information meeting about re-zoning a neighbourhood is not necessarily a meaningful achievement, but getting the application past the community involvement stage is. I think you get what I mean. When you celebrate meaningful milestones, your people see firsthand that their hard work is making a difference, and that creates energy and momentum to get them moving towards the next one!
So … what are some of the things you are doing to add impetus and energy to your change effort? Please share.