How to Lead Change Without Killing It!

“Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have—and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up.” – James Belasco and Ralph Stayer, Flight of the Buffalo

There is more than one way for an organization to die.

One of the ways is to resist most change - attack both new ideas and those who initiate them. The other way to die is to either launch a bad idea or fail to successfully implement a good one. Either way, your mission and team may be on a collision course with an unnecessary and unpleasant outcome.

So what does it take to lead your organization through change without killing it? Here are five elements that you need in order to be successful.

1. Compelling vision that inspires hope

2. Credible leaders that a majority will trust and follow

3. Leaders and others facing real facts about the state of the organization

4. Leadership that is willing to take calculated risks

5. Enough financial and human resources to successfully launch the change

Jay Desko is the CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.