Overcoming obstacles that can threaten your transformation

Last month, a client described transformation to me as “like a game of whack-a mole! Obstacles just keep popping up.”

Delivering change alongside business as usual work is harder than ever thanks to the staffing shortages felt across the UK, as well as an increase in service demand for many.  

So, let’s take a look at a few of these ‘moles’ and whack some together.

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal”

(Henry Ford)

Mole #1 - A lack of urgency

“It can wait” and “I have more important things to do” are examples of commonly heard phrases that demonstrate a lack of urgency. Phrases like these can be a warning sign that your vital improvement work may be losing momentum, or having trouble getting started.  

To overcome this, you need to make everyone in your organisation feel the pressure for change. Everyone needs to understand why standing still is not an option. A great way to do this is through storytelling. Our partner, Hilary Salzman at 22 Stories leads a business storytelling challenge for #NationalStorytellingWeek and regular storytelling clinics.

Mole #2 - Low engagement

“What’s the point? What difference will it make?” People may not engage with your transformation because they don’t understand your vision.
 
To overcome this barrier, communicate a clear shared vision that explains where you want to be as an organisation in the next 5/10/20 years. How will it make an impact on your cause? Articulate how things will change for your customers and your people.

Mole #3 - Frustration and burnout

Delivering transformation alongside business as usual puts a strain on everyone… if not balanced correctly, it will end in frustration and exhaustion. This may inadvertently lead to resignations, making the workload greater for those who remain.
 
Prevent this from happening by managing your capacity for change, and ensuring that improvement work fits alongside your current projects and business as usual activity. Master Schedules are a useful tool for creating this visibility within your organisation.

Our Implementation Managers can also provide extra capacity in your team by doing the work you desperately need. Ask us about extendable contracts for long-term capacity.

Mole #4 - Lack of momentum

There are many reasons momentum can wain, such as a lack of capacity, capability or buy-in to solutions generated. Whatever the reason, this creates false starts and the hard work you’ve already put in could disappear.
 
Overcome this obstacle by delivering and shouting about quick wins which generate momentum, excitement, and early buy-in for your transformation programme.

Do you need help with your transformation programme, or are you looking to get started? Email us at hello@ad-esse.com.