LEADING CHANGE
Aaron Czechowski
Senior Program Manager
Microsoft
CONTEXT
HAVE YOU RECENTLY
EXPERIENCED CHANGE?
FOOD SENSITIVITIES
“INTELLIGENT WORKPLACE”
Change is a fact of life.
Change is a source of anxiety for many people,
but it doesn’t have to be.
Change can be a valuable tool.
CHANGE HAPPENS – HOW TO REACT?

Be fearful and resistant


Accept changes and try to make the most of them


Change controls us
Better, but must adapt to changes that are already occurring
Lead change

Take responsibility for steering changes in the best possible direction

Accepts the inevitability

Act to determine the outcome
When change is needed, leading change can make it happen
When change is inevitable, leading change can make it positive
HOW TO LEAD CHANGE
In six steps
1. RECOGNIZE THAT CHANGE HAPPENS

Anticipate change

Accept change, adapt to it

Move along with change, enjoy it!
2. EMPOWER OTHERS TO HELP


Who needs to be involved

Willingness to change

Position, expertise, credibility

Leadership, management
Build relationships through shared experiences
3. LEAD BASED ON VALUES, MISSION AND VISION

Know where you are headed

Core beliefs or desires that guide and motivate our attitudes and actions.

A picture of future success.

A clear plan with specific steps to realize the vision
If we have a clear vision of what can be,
then leading change can help make it so.
4. ESTABLISH URGENCY

People need a compelling reason to change

Barcodes



Patented: early 1950s

Broad use: 1980s
How to create urgency:

Communicate vision

Steps to make change possible, necessary, desirable
Techniques:
• Simplicity
• Metaphor, analogy, example
• Multiple forums
• Lead by example
• Repetition
5. WHAT IF SOME ARE RESISTANT?

Move ahead, with encouragement

Some need to first observe what’s happening

Some will eventually, reluctantly join – to not be left behind

Inevitably, some will not change
6. CREATE A CULTURE THAT EMBRACES CHANGE

Seek feedback; learn and iterate for next time

Embrace change, seek out opportunities

Size matters
LEAD CHANGE THROUGH LIFELONG LEARNING

Leaders are educators

See to your own continuing education

Mental habits that support lifelong learning

Risk taking

Humble self-reflection

Solicitation of opinions

Careful listening

Openness to new ideas
We cannot become what we need to be
by remaining what we are.