How to take people with you on your change journey

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Every business needs to engineer change - and yet persuading colleagues during times of flux can be a challenging task. What’s needed? A delicate balance of techniques to effectively convey your ideas and convince others to join you on the change journey.

Here’s four key tricks - plus the risks to consider when influencing folks smoothly.

1. Active Listening: Understand and address concerns and fears of colleagues. Actively listen to feedback and incorporate perspectives into the change process where possible.

2. Effective Communication: Articulate the vision and benefits of the proposed change. Use compelling language and storytelling to engage colleagues and help them see change value.

3. Relationship Building: Cultivate strong bonds with colleagues based on trust and mutual respect. Show empathy and understanding to create a supportive environment for change.

4. Leading by Example: Demonstrate your commitment to the change by modeling desired behaviors and outcomes. Be a role model and inspire others through your actions.

However, there are risks to be aware of when persuading colleagues. These include resistance to change, fear of the unknown, and conflicting priorities. As James Belasco and Ralph Stayer, authors of "Flight of the Buffalo" write, "Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have—and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up.”

It is important to anticipate and address these risks proactively.

To deepen your understanding of persuasive techniques and change leadership, consider reading the following books:

- "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini

- "Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard" by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

How can you adapt your persuasive techniques to different individuals and situations to successfully bring people along on your change journey?