Successful Change Requires Careful Transition

I recently listened to a podcast on making changes and transitions. I like change. I do well with it. In fact, I think I sometimes change things just for the sake of change and to see what will happen. But the longer I’ve lead and worked with people, the more I’ve realized that most do not feel the same as I do. They value stability, repetition, and the known. And those are good things.

Here are some thoughts I heard from Tim Brown (Senior Pastor at First Baptist, Clovis) on leading people through change.

“People don’t resist the change, they resist the loss.” Tim shared how in order to help people let go and prepare themselves for change, we must first identify who is losing what. Then we can acknowledge the losses openly and honestly and begin to compensate for the loss people are experiencing.

Another key to helping them let go it to make sure you mark the ending, treat the past with respect, and let the people take a little of it with them somehow.

As you move to the new beginning, Tim gave several hints to keep people from wanting to go back to the way it was before. First, be consistent. We must communicate the same message over and over and not assume that everyone is onboard like we are.

Second, we have to get some quick successes and share those with others. There is nothing as powerful as stories of the benefits of the change. So celebrate those loudly and often.

I don’t know what changes are going on in your life, but I know I experience it often (again, I’m usually the one creating it). Hopefully, these tips from Tim will help you lead others more effectively through change.