Change is inevitable. We can address issues head on or let them stagnate and decay the foundation of our group, organization, church, or relationships. Leaders must be proactive in making necessary changes.
I believe Christians should be the biggest people group that embraces change. Why? Because God has changed us and given us a manual for seeing redemptive change in our communities.
While sometimes scary, because we are navigating through the unknown, change should also be exhilarating as leaders take steps of faith to do what they believe and know to be right!
I have decided to be a change agent where necessary in helping to lead change that promotes health and growth. In my experience, many organizations and churches need to make changes to promote health.
If you are courageous and want to take on leadership issues that deal
with change here are eight basic steps:
(Taken from Paul Kotter's book: Leading Change)
It is critical to do these steps in the right order!
1. Establish a sense of urgency - People need to know why change is necessary!
2. Create the guiding coalition - Leaders must create a team to help tackle the problem. There is strength in numbers!
3. Develop a vision and a strategy - People need to see where things are going and heading and have easy to see and do steps to get to the eventual finish line.
4. Communicate the change vision - People need to hear the reasons for change in a compelling way that causes them to want to do something about it.
5. Empower employees for broad-based action - Everyone in the organization needs to feel like they have a part in the change and feel empowered and equipped to be a part of the change.
6. Generate short-term wins - The road to change is long and people will give up if they do not see some short term returns.
7. Consolidate gains and produce more change - People will give up too early if they think the organization has "finally arrived." Continue to create a sense of urgency and push your organization.
8. Anchor new approaches in the culture - The organization needs to stay relevant and open to changes that promote growth. This is imperative in a fast-paced technological world where plans need to be revisited due to unforeseen changes in the future. The culture of change needs to be firmly imbedded in the culture of the company.
"Never underestimate the magnitude of the forces that reinforce complacency and that help maintain the status quo."
My Ph.D. studies have been very influential in shaping leadership issues and in helping to direct change in the local church. What church, organization, or group are you a part of and what changes need to take place? Will you be a catalyst for change and growth?
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