Change Management

Change management may seem easy in its definition but it is a very difficult task. From the book, we know that accepting change easily and starting working as per new processes is change management. Adaptability and flexibility are the two known words that we associate with change and we think we have these qualities when it comes to embracing change.  Although we are open to new things, we usually fail to follow the new process/direction as we have a built-in mechanism for dealing with all situations.  So, with our words, we say that we have accepted the change, but our actions continue to do so which we have been doing in the past.

The First Time Rule

To overcome the disparity between our words and actions, I have thought of this “The First Time Rule”.

So, whenever you are in a situation where there is change involved, like your new job, your new role at the job, your new role in the family, a new task which you have not done before, or for that matter anything which you are going to do the first time, you should consider playing by the following rules.

1. Look for that person who has already done the same task that you are doing for the first time. If you can find someone who always stands out in that task, you are in luck.
2. Fully understand the nature of the task/role and get the background from that person who has done it before.
3. Create a checklist and get it vetted by the person who has done it before. This checklist is also needed to be vetted by the person who has given you a task.
4. Be rest assured that there will be unknowns that you have not anticipated for the task, so your first step should be replicating steps taken by the previous owner.
5. Do not put aside your experience when doing a new task. If you are an experienced person, people will anticipate that you will add more value to the current process.
6. Once the task is completed, one must learn from mistakes and try not to repeat them.

With every change, there are high chances of failures and mistakes, and that is why people resist it. But the reality is, that change is something that you cannot get away with. So why not use the First Time Rule and be successful with all new things?