4 Steps to Make Change Easier
Why Change is Difficult and how the Physics of Change can make you more Successful.
A typical Change Management Plan has a 12% success rate.
The BottomLine
It’s just Physics. Newton’s Laws of Motion to be specific.
These laws are the basis of momentum. Each individually impact the ability to make a successful change - whether in business or personally - but when combined produce the momentum necessary to Accelerate Results.
Newton’s First Law, outlined below, describes the first step in making a change: moving from “at rest” to “in motion”.
Newton’s First Law of Motion (inertia): An object at rest will stay at rest unless a force acts upon it and an object in motion will stay in motion unless a force acts upon it (paraphrase).
Consider how you are currently doing business. This is your business at rest: your business’s daily routine, the way your employees complete their work, and interact with each other or with your customers.
Your change management strategy is the “force” acting upon the object.
With this in mind, you can easily see why that great new idea might not receive the warm welcome it deserves. Your strategy doesn’t have enough momentum in the beginning. By making a change, whether it is an entirely different way of doing business or simply changing the brand of coffee in the office, you are taking an object at rest and placing it in motion. In the case of coffee, the “force” necessary to make the change is small. You, as the boss, can simply require a different brand be purchased. However, changing the way you do business will likely take a more significant “force”. This brings us to Newton’s Second Law.
Newton’s Second Law describes why larger changes require more “force”.
Newton’s Second Law of Motion: Force equals mass multiplied by acceleration (paraphrase).
Restated: acceleration equals force divided by mass.
In a change management context, “mass” is the size or significance of a change. The larger the change the larger the mass and, as the restated Law states, the more force it will require to keep the change moving forward. This is because, as the significance of the change grows, the amount of effort or buy-in must also increase proportionally or else the change plan losses steam and eventually ends in a failed attempt for success, which leads us to Newton’s Third Law.
Newton’s Third Law describes importance of crafting a plan to take the right/correct “actions”.
Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction (paraphrase).
Every change you make in your business has an equal and opposite reaction. If you push toward growing your business (action), your business is no longer the size it was or doing business the way it was (opposite reaction). This may appear obvious and without any downside, but there is a downside or, at least, the potential for one. For example, a larger business will mean more customers; it could mean greater expenses and risk of failure; or simply less of what is familiar and comfortable. These are all opposite reactions to the action of growing your business. For some, these opposite reactions are acceptable hurdles to overcome. For others, they will be too much to handle and result in a failed change management plan. The key is to identify the potential “opposite reactions”, mitigate them, and ultimately breakthrough them.
Clarity
How to use these Laws to produce the momentum you need to Accelerate Results.
Start with small changes to move your company from “at rest” to “in motion”
Build upon those changes with larger changes and “wins”
2. Increase “force” as the change grows (increases in mass) to ensure the plan doesn’t lose steam
Transparency will be key a key tool in increasing “force”
Communicate the shared Vision and show the opportunity that will come with change
Outline what changes will be made, how, and why — put stakeholders at ease
3. Structure your plan in advance to avoid pitfalls or “opposite reactions”
Involve key stakeholders (change champions) early and often to ensure the right/correct “actions” and adjust as new opportunities or challenges arise.
Develop metrics (what will determine a Win or successful change)
Track progress and make necessary revisions based on feedback
4. Combine all three laws to Accelerate Results
Create momentum by starting with small Wins to move from “at rest” to “in motion”
Use a shared Vision and transparency to increase “force” as the “mass” grows
Develop a plan to anticipate, mitigate, and push passed “opposite reactions”