Making change last: how to get beyond change fatigue

Making change last: how to get beyond change fatigue

Beaudan E. Ivey Business Journal, January/February 2006, No. of pages: 7

Purpose – To explain why change initiatives often lose momentum and how this can be prevented. Design/methodology/approach – Charts a typical change implementation curve over time. States that every initiative reaches a point where the degree of change implementation peaks and unexpected developments or resistance to change cause it to lose momentum described as the“stall point”. Observes that this typically happens in a mid-course phase, once the initial launch enthusiasm has been dissipated, adding that only one in five initiatives leads to positive success and two out of five end in failure. Identifies six signs of change fatigue and lists the set of questions that need to be answered during the launch phase and the different questions that need to be answered in the mid-course phase of the initiative. States that it is essential to distinguish between the requirements for initiating change and those needed to sustain it. Presents four strategies for sustaining change. Discusses rethinking change goals and expectations; changing speeds; changing the mix of people; and adding excitement. Provides a summary of “what they don’t teach you about change” and comments on the leadership implications of the change initiative life cycle. Originality/value –Highlights the symptoms of change fatigue and shows how effective, visible leadership can sustain a change initiative over time.ISSN: 1481-8248Reference:35AE850

Keywords: Change management, Leadership, Management techniques,Sustainable development