Change is a necessary part of any organization and is integral to its success in a competitive and shifting market. When new technologies or trends sweep in, old routines are often phased out.

Upcoming generations are predicted to hold not only different jobs during their working life, but different careers, using different skill sets. Adaptability is quickly becoming the market expectation and the way to survival, especially in a down turned economy. Many organizations have had to restructure and cut back to keep afloat. When employees see cuts happening, it can be tempting to jump ship and seek out new opportunities. But what are organizations doing to retain their workforce during times of change?

If  you  are  experiencing  change  within  your  organization,  read  on  to  understand  how  change  and transitions can negatively impact a team if they are not managed properly, and how you can make change a positive experience within your organization.

Paint a big picture

If you’ve ever looked too closely at a painting, you know that you can’t always make out the big picture when you’re looking at individual strokes. Change can be frightening to employees who don’t know why the shift is happening. They may see what is affecting them immediately but if they don’t know the end result, or the steps needed to get there, the change can seem useless or daunting. When you paint the big picture for them—the results of the transition and what you’re building together—you will gain more confidence in the process and garner enthusiasm and support. If your change involves cutbacks and restructuring, be honest about why it needs to happen. The survival of the organization is a goal to work towards and your staff needs to know this to understand why restructuring is necessary.

Car-pool on the information highway

Two-way communication during a time of change is the key to maintaining your employees trust and buy- in.  Inform employees as early as possible about new policies, procedures or organizational changes. When you aren’t being transparent about change, the most natural response is to assume something negative is happening. But whether the news is negative or not, being “in the know” keeps employees from feeling left out of the loop and less vulnerable to surprises, reducing stress and encouraging questions rather than gossip. Encourage two-way communication during times of change with:

•      Regular updates. Take a moment to call your team together when you have new information to share. The fear of the unknown can make you feel like you’re navigating in the dark. Keeping employees informed about the details helps them feel a part of the process and enables them to see the road ahead.

•      Q & As. Encourage questions and provide honest answers during your meetings. Let employees know they can come to you if they want to speak ‘offline’ about their concerns. Ask them what they’ve heard and take the opportunity to bring rumours out in the open and clarify any misconceptions.

•      Map it out. Setting clear, short-term goals will help motivate your employees to implement change and make the task less daunting and more achievable.