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The subject of change management has been studied, discussed, practised and modelled inside and out, and still we look for new ideas and practical advice for implementing corporate change. Most of the articles and information available focus on how to help your employees through corporate change, but what about you? How can you best deal with change when you are the agent charged with implementation? Are you ready for an organisational championship fight, where your ideas may get punched at and stomped on? Are you ready to share vital truths with straight language and clear definitions? Here’s what you need to think about before you get into the ring.

Be prepared
When you’re the agent of change, you’ll be in the spotlight. This is no place for the easily spooked, timid or nervous. You will be expected to have all the answers, from why the change is needed to how it will affect individuals to how long it will take to complete. All of this requires you to be well prepared ahead of time, ready to turn bleak pessimism into wide eyed blue sky optimism.
Talking points – Start with talking points that explain all aspects of the change. It should cover the who, what, when, why, and how, all in clear language that is honest and forthright. Cut out all theory, baloney and anything which doesn’t get to the actual point.
Q&A – Put together a Q&A that anticipates likely questions and provides clear answers. Make it available as part of the change implementation, and make it a living, breathing document. In other words, add questions to it as they come in so that the rest of the organisation can read the answers, too. Make it straightforward, no-nonsense, not sugar-coated, it’s got to be truthful and simple.
Practise – Do some role-playing with peers or colleagues so that you can get some practise talking about the changes. Going into it cold in a ‘real-life’ situation won’t pass muster; practise makes perfect. Practise a variety of encounters, from friendly to hostile, group to individual, and any other situation that is likely to occur. This will give individuals and teams the tools to succeed.
Clear your schedule – Clear your decks, make sure your schedule is clear or at least very light for several days following the change announcement. Your time will be best spent talking with employees, answering questions, and generally being available and accessible for dealing with emergent issues and employees with concerns. Communication is key to give confidence and productivity.

Be compassionate and firm
All changes are difficult, and some are more difficult than others are. Regardless of the extent of the changes or the level of organisational disruption that will occur, you will be dealing with people whose reactions cover the wide range of possible emotions. And they will be coming to you for insight and information. It is critical during change implementation that you be compassionate and firm in all of your interactions with employees (although you may feel different inside!). It’s okay to acknowledge that someone is worried or unhappy about changes, but you must remain firm about the implementation and be clear that it is a reality that must be dealt with. This part is tough for some people because it can be heart wrenching to listen to an employee who is extremely upset about the impact he or she will experience due to a change. This is why I recommend practice and role-play in advance, to help you be better prepared for the difficult discussions.

Keep your sense of humour
Sometimes, when the going gets tough, the best coping mechanism you have is your ability to laugh at the situation - have a ‘Steve Martin moment’. Now of course I don’t mean laughing at others or laughing at those who are struggling to cope with change. I mean having a sense of humour about yourself and the responsibilities you have shouldered. At some point you will feel frustrated with your change agent role. Maybe you’ve had to deal with a particularly difficult employee encounter, or perhaps your regular work is piling up because the change implementation is taking more of your time and energy than anticipated. Remind yourself that it won’t last forever and that before you know it your life will get back to normal.

Take care of yourself
Above all else, take good care of yourself when you are filling the function of change agent. Whether or not you realise it, that role has a way of sucking the energy right out of you, and you must take care to replenish that energy in whatever way works best for you. What do you do to relax? Do it as often as you can. What do you do to have fun? Do that as often as you can, too. The better your frame of mind, the more energy you have, the easier it will be to deal with the pressures that come along with being an agent of change. Creating change is like a roller coaster ride: your stomach may drop a few times on the ride and you may have trouble breathing. But don’t worry, you will arrive safely at the other end sooner than you think.

Anne McKevitt is a serial entrepreneur, foremost authority on global commerce and renowned business speaker. She is available for speaking engagements through ICMI. Telephone (03) 9529 3711. www.swellintelligence.com www.annemckevittspeaking.com