Embracing and Executing Change

Charles R. (Chas) JordanM.P.A., P.W.E., F.M.P.

Assistant Public Works Director / Facilities Manager

City of Largo, Florida

Florida Public Works InstituteAPWA Florida Chapter

Socrates:

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the OLD, but on building the NEW”

Why do we resist Change?

Fear of the unknown

Wants to do good, don't want to learn new

Mandates without explanation or concern (perception is perceived as negative)

Fear of irrelevance

Why does change occur? What happens?

To Progress To keep moving To help people Make jobs easier Because other things change, making

something change Example: Fuel Charge Increase

John P. KotterHarvard Business School

Press, 1996

Leading Change

Effective Change Leadership

Make it Urgent Set Leadership Develop a Vision and Strategy Communicate the Vision Empower Staff Generate Short-Term Wins Take Gains and Make More Make the Change - Culture

Effective steps to making a change:

Why is the change so important?Is there a dedicated group supporting the change?

What will be better/different when we get there?

Talk about it!Let others help and be involvedCelebrate easy winsCelebrate major milestonesEmbrace the new results

How to make it happenWe need to do this now because…Set the TeamPresent the FutureThis is where you work, this is the visionDo what is right CelebrateKeep up the momentumReward and recognize change agents

Get on the Bus! Have you ever seen someone...

On the busDriving the busWants to be on the bus, but can’t find the door

Appears to be on the bus, but putting sugar in the gas tank

Sits near the door of the bus for hasty exit

Slicing tires

Know anybody on the Short Bus? Doesn't know what they are doing or

why they are there Is just along for the ride Not aware of the buses around them all

moving in different directions Could get in a crash

Know anybody on the Wrong Bus? Victim of the popular thought Doesnt understand or know the vision Has a different agenda Needs to find a new School District?

What is a change that is happening in your

workplace that makes you feel angry and/or afraid.

What is a change that needs to happen in your

workplace.

How do you think you can make it happen

Implementing the Change Make a Plan

− Clearly state the change and the steps toward it

Have town halls or staff charettes to discuss the impacts and advantages

Support your staff & support the change− Allocate resources

Feedback and Communication

Meetings and Sit Downs Email Communications Talk one on one with employees Airing of grievances and brainstorms Document and Communicate Progress

− Send out emails at major milestones− Recognize folks for effective work− Communicate out your great work

Chinese Proverb...

Questions / Comments?