The Friction Report 08.30.17

              Change, good or bad     08.30.17

                                                            by Don Ford

            Is change “Good or Bad”?     It is both!        Now that you know, “Change is both Good and Bad”, you should consider why, and then how to make change mostly good!

            Knowing the above, and after you have taken the time to consider why, I should not need to add anything to this article, but I will!

            Because some in management have never been on both sides, (hourly and salaried). If you have only been on one side, “salaried”, and if your view (knowledge) is based on that work history, along with a higher level of education, then you are likely going to make decisions, that for many reasons are the correct thing to do, but possibly the presentation of the (decision) change is done in less than a professional manner.

            It is not necessary for one to have worked as both a salaried and hourly employee, although it can be very helpful. It is however, necessary for one to fully consider how any change will affect all concerned. Most often, change is needed, and when implemented properly will benefit all. 

            If change will benefit all, then why is it both good and bad?

            Change is often resisted because:

1. We have always done it that way and it works!

2. There is a huge amount of change tossed at staff all at once!

3. The change is presented in a manner that does not properly explain the benefits to those involved!

           

            A few thoughts:

    *It is difficult to get around the, “we have always done it that way”, scenario. One suggestion would be, get a few of the hourly staff, you know the ones, they are unofficial leaders in the work areas, to buy into the change, and they will influence the others. If you do not do this, they will still influence the others, but not as you would want.

    *When possible, break the change up into small units. Implement a segment allowing staff to adjust to it before implementing the next portion.

    *Follow-up with the staff to understand their thoughts (concerns) about the change. Do not assume they understand or that they have made the change, get involved, and follow up!

    *Select the presenter carefully. Do not assume that a supervisor, department manager, general manager, or upper management will be proficient at presenting this information (change). Consider for a moment this statement at the beginning of an announcement, “the home office has told us that we will be changing the way we…”! To some hourly’s that statement means, they think they know how to do our work better than we do!   

    *Very important, proper presentation with understandable explanations! This is a must, and this is often the difference between staff accepting or rejecting the change. I understand that staff cannot reject the change, but they can disrupt, and or slow down, any change that they don’t fully understand, or agree with.   

Summary:

            Change is a part of life at work or at home.

            Change is accepted when there is a clear understanding of the need for the
            change.

            Proper presentation will provide a clear understanding.

            Get buy-in from some of the unofficial group leaders.

            Follow-up with staff to insure the change is taking place and any concerns.

Thank You

Don Ford   

Postscript

            Public speaking made easy.

            Mr. Don Wolf is one of the best at presenting information. I have observed Mr. Wolf in various groups and he is a master at presenting information at the level of the audience. He never talked down to anyone, he always spoke at their level.

        He is also very observant. Many years ago my wife and I had supper with Mr. Wolf and the board of directors. Mr. Wolf made his comments and then went around the table allowing each member of the board to comment. This was prior to the opening of the Waco Center. I was going to be the last to comment and to say I was nervous would be an understatement.

        When it was my turn to speak Mr. Wolf interrupted and ask if he could comment before I did. That was ok with me as I was super nervous. Mr. Wolf spoke for a couple minutes and I listened to what he was saying. I had completely calmed down and was not thinking about what I would say but what Mr. Wolf was saying. Mr. Wolf Stopped, looked at me and ask for my comments. I made a short statement and did not have time to get nervous.

  

Thanks