The importance of change leadership in technology transformations
by Cale Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer
Change leadership is the process of leading people through change.
Gone are the days of issuing edicts and expecting people to comply. Poor change leadership can see projects stumble, valued staff resign and diminished benefits realisation. Effective change leaders have a deep understanding of how people experience change and are able to persuasively communicate a vision and strategy for change that drives action and momentum.
With the rapid rate of change driven by technology, change leadership is a fundamental part of any successful technology strategy or implementation. These initiatives can have a significant impact on people and their ways of working. In order to absorb the shock of these changes in their day to day work, staff must have a leader who creates confidence and resilience to weather the storm.
As such, it is important to have a clear vision and strategy for change that takes into account the needs of employees. Change leaders need to be able to effectively communicate the vision and strategy for change in a way that inspires people to take action. This is especially important when navigating a complex technology project.
When implementing change associated with the delivery of a technology project, it is also important to consider the following:
- What is the desired outcome of the change?
- What are the risks and potential challenges associated with the change?
- How will people be impacted by the change?
- What is the timeline for implementing the change?
- What resources are required to support the change?
- Who is responsible for ensuring the change is adopted?
Change leadership is a critical component of successful change management. When done well, it can help ensure that technological change is navigated successfully and that employees are engaged and supported throughout the process.