Embracing change is not easy for many people. If you introduce change at work, you will see that some of the employees will resist it. You might have to do it gradually. You also need to convince them that these changes are beneficial to them. You need to meet them first and talk to them about your plans. These are some tips that you might use during the presentation.
The age-old proverb- ‘Change is the only constant in life’ does not hold true for changing workplace culture. Employees used to a certain way of working, rules, modicum, will not necessarily be open to doing newer things just because the management wants them to do.
If the change is implemented as a knee-jerk reaction or all-at-once, it will have an adverse effect on employee morale. Change has to be brought in gradually, after giving employees the confidence that it would not be too different from the previous atmosphere at work.
Talk about the change:
You need to be clear about the changes that you are trying to push. Do not sugar-coat your statement. Tell everyone about the changes and the way you see them happening. Before you do it, you need to talk inform your management team that you intend to apply the changes. Once you face the rest of the employees, you will all be on the same page.
Be open-minded:
You cannot force people to follow what you want without resistance. Therefore, you need to be open-minded and accept the fact that some employees will have a different point of view. You could still push for what you want in the end, but you should at least take note of what others have to say. Be ready to hear overreactions, especially if the employees do not see your point, or there is a misunderstanding.
Acknowledge the feedback:
You cannot pretend to listen to the input and insist on what you want. At the very least, acknowledge the feedback and let everyone know that you understand their concerns. You can also tell them that you see their point, and you will try your best to accommodate them.
Do not fight with everyone:
If the negative feedback is overwhelming, you will only lose if you start arguing with the employees. It will become a screaming match that no one will appreciate. Make sure that you remain calm and steady even if it becomes chaotic. You could also set rules before the meeting starts so that it will be orderly.
Be ready to explain everything:
You will receive lots of questions in the process. People will ask you why you have decided to make the changes. You can talk about efficiency or progress. You can also talk about better experience, productivity, and convenience. If you connect the dots and the employees see it, they might feel convinced. Do not use money as the primary reason. It is difficult for most employees to accept that reason. Cost-cutting might be valid, but you will see lots of eye rolls when you say it.
Use the presentation slides:
If you want to make it clear to everyone in the room, you can use slides. Include charts that are relevant to what you are saying. You also need a TV display stand if you intend to discuss things in a room with several attendees. You wish for everyone in the room to be on the same page, and if they cannot catch what you say, they can use the slides for reference.
You cannot expect that the meeting will end on a positive note, but you can at least try. Gaining the trust of your employees is one of the ways in which you can make the transition much easier for everyone involved.
You need to remember that senior employee, no matter what their designation always hold a lot of moral sway over the company. Gaining their trust, and asking them to be at the forefront of it all is a good way to proceed.
