Don’t Forget to Address These Five Concerns When Leading Change

“Leading people through change requires a willingness to address the concerns people have when they are being asked to take on something different,” says Dr. Vicki Halsey, vice president of applied learning at The Ken Blanchard Companies.

“It’s also about dealing with the emotions people are going through as they experience change—emotions such as: I don’t want to do this. I don't have time to do that. I don't know how to do this,” says Halsey. “All of these feelings have to be addressed successfully or your change efforts will be just another bit of information bouncing off of their already full container of emotion.”

Halsey reminds leaders that organizations change when people change.

Mastering the art of leading change doesn’t need to be mysterious or complicated. Acknowledging that people go through predictable and sequential stages of concern— which can be anticipated and addressed—can help your organization accelerate change. Learn how to address the stages of concern and respond with strategies to increase involvement and influence at each stage of the change process.