Ready to Embrace TRANSITIONS? Start by Talking to Strangers!
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Get a clu 💡
Dive deep into the nuances of transformation management, exploring topics ranging from organizational culture to the perplexing phenomenon of competing commitments. Understand why individuals may express a desire for change yet struggle to follow through. Gain valuable insights to navigate these complexities and drive successful transformations.
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eBOOK
eBOOK
Are you new to transformation work? Is change theory just too abstract for you? Are you an Executive that needs to understand how to steer the human side of transformations and project manage better?
Navigating the Surge in Transformation Projects: Trends and Challenges
A recent study on transformation and change[1], has shown how “the number of change projects have exploded over the past five years”. Of the 1284 executives and project management specialists surveyed for the study, 85 percent indicated an overall increase, 56 percent noted an increase of over 25 percent, and 25 percent observed an increase of over 50 percent. Not only is change the new norm, it is occurring more quickly than ever before. And the sheer volume of change projects can be overwhelming for those who have to steer them.
This rapid acceleration is of course being fueled by macro trends such as digitalization, Industry 4.0, the evolution of the internet (Web 3.0), and IoT. But it is also starkly influenced by more persistent issues like climate change, an increased number of global conflicts, and a consistent displacement of refugees. All of which have made us more interdependent than ever before and thus more susceptible to minor and major market, economic, social, and even biological (as we saw with Covid) shifts.
[1] Harvard Business Review, "Organize your change initiative around purpose and benefits"., Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, May 17, 2023
Lisa* is an industry veteran. With a Master’s in industrial engineering and over 15 years of experience leading production teams, her colleagues and superiors deem her competent and capable. And she is. Which is why she was appointed Head of Project Management Office (PMO) for a voluntary internal reorganization at Bosch*.
When I met Lisa, I, too, was impressed by her business credentials and acumen. She was also hands-on and approachable, two qualities that made her relatable and likable. This ideal balance of tangible expertise and affability might make Lisa seem like the perfect choice to steer a large-scale transformation project.
However, steering an organizational development such as Lisas involves both rigorous project management and a strategic communication approach and skills. Unfortunately, Lisa lacked insight in both these pivotal aspects of successful transformation management. Having never engineered a complex project, she was unfamiliar with PMO methodology. And equally critical, she was little aware of the human aspect.
Anyone who has ever led or even experienced big transformation knows that business and managerial skills will only get you so far. KPIs (key performance indicators) and frameworks are great tools for setting the stage. But it’s the performers who will make or break your performance. And they can represent an erratic variable. Because change unleashes an unpredictable and broad range of emotions, from fear to anger, and excitement to hope. Knowing how to navigate these emotions is an essential skill for any Transformation Manager. Thankfully there are a plethora of change tools to do so.
In Lisa’s case, this meant being able to rein in her colleagues’ concerns, fears, and resistance when faced with the unknown, while simultaneously tapping into their enthusiasm and excitement. Unaware of the human aspect, she struggled. Ultimately making her more insecure and diluting her colleagues’ trust in her ability to rise to the challenge. What Lisa needed was a comprehensive guide for maneuvering her way around the complex nature of the human response to change. That is what I have created.
Get a clu! The Handbook for Managing People and Processes Like a Pro is the first book to delve into the human aspect of transformation management. It offers a fresh perspective by illustrating how traditionally undervalued people and stakeholder management, combined with rigorous project management office (PMO) skills, can turn any dreaded transformation into a win. When change theory, transformation thinking and frameworks hit a breaking point, taking the human factor into consideration is the ultimate recipe for success.
* I have changed the name of my client and the company for privacy reasons.
podcast episode
podcast episode
Would you like to listen to my story on why I created the book? And understand its genesis and the process I used? Listen to the podcast episode about a fateful trip to Toronto, Canada.