Large change initiatives can seem huge and daunting. A grand vision may be good for inspiration, but it can also freeze people with that deer-in-headlights feeling. It helps to narrow down a large change from something that seems impossible into practical steps. To influence change, shrink it.
Whether your organization is implementing a new strategy, installing a large-scale program, or completing a merger, individuals can feel disconnected from the change. Beyond asking, “What’s in it for me,” people will not know how to act until they know how they fit into the puzzle.
Break down the initiative into doable chunks. Set short-term targets. Identify the critical behaviors that people should perform. Show how each department or process has a unique part in the change. Link individual activities to the larger project. Split the initiative into smaller projects. Shrink the change into something people believe they can accomplish.
How might you shrink the change?
Read more of the 99 Ways to Influence Change.