The inevitable shift of time keeps us on our toes due to changes in the workplace and in life. This is not only a given but also a prerequisite for success. There's one problem, though. Most companies across diverse industries struggle to manage change for reasons such as culture, leadership, and technology.
Luckily, it's not impossible to transform poorly performing teams through change. The good news is that our brains function more effectively as we adapt to change. When we have to take action to cope with a changing environment, we end up processing more information, making better decisions and solving problems faster than when we're on cruise control, day after day.
No matter what your company does or what your role is, understanding how teams navigate through change can help improve productivity and keep the company moving forward to set new goals.
Here are four tips that can help any leadership team through the transition.
Tip #1: Establish new routines and processes
Change brings with it the opportunity to establish new patterns and processes for your team. When teams find extra capacity, it often means more time is allocated towards process improvement. A big tip is to look at your team's daily schedule and how each day unfolds. There could be an opportunity to shorten the work day so the team can start each morning with a clean slate. It's much easier for people to embrace and move forward with change, when yesterday's fatigue isn't hanging over their heads and slowing things down.
Tip #2: Remember to focus on the future, not past successes and failures
It's easy to dwell on past missteps when taking action to manage change, but it's more effective to focus on what can be done to seize the opportunities going forward. If you keep your team firmly focused on the future and on evolving through the change, they will be less distracted by what has gone wrong in the past.
Tip #3: Ensure your team knows their work is meaningful and important
It is especially critical for teams experiencing change to feel that their work matters and to understand how important it is for them to keep working toward success. Leaders must ensure that their team is engaged and has "skin in the game" in order for change programs to be successful. Remember to give team members a place at the table and encourage them to work through the challenges together.
Tip #4: Involve teams in decision making and problem-solving
This is a great time to bring groups together, and it's an excellent opportunity for you as the leader to get input from your team rather than just direct and delegate. By involving people from different areas of the organisation, you can benefit from multiple perspectives re: what works and doesn't work when navigating change.
The Opportunities-Obstacle Quotient (QO2) Profile
The Opportunities-Obstacle Quotient (QO2) Profile assists individuals and teams to better understand their strengths and weaknesses. It also supports individuals to develop their ability to manage their approach to risk. The profile measures how well individuals respond to opportunities as compared to obstacles. The goal is for individuals and groups to recognise what it is about them that helps them take advantage of new or missed opportunities and the obstacles they face. An individual or team's ability to change depends upon their awareness of what stands in the way of growth.
A QO2 Profile can be used as a baseline tool to measure changes and progress in an individual's or team's life cycle over time. The QO2 Profile can also be used as a diagnostic tool to analyse if there are "holes" in the pattern of behaviours of an individual or team. That is, the underlying theme in their responses may reveal that they may be missing important information, thereby preventing them from adapting to change.
The QO2 Profile helps individuals identify their potential to see opportunities and obstacles in different situations. It can help them develop practical problem-solving skills and improve their decision making abilities. If you are in an environment where people are looking for more clarity around their goals and are experiencing increasing difficulty in making decisions, the QO2 Profile is the right tool for you.
To learn more about the QO2 Profile and how it can help your teams achieve your ever evolving organisational goals go HERE.