Change Management Is Key to Business Survival
Business consultant and author Jim Bohn’s cellphone tends to ring when company leaders are overwhelmed with changes.
So naturally, 2020 has been a boon for the Grafton-based expert in change management, as business leaders face unprecedented challenges.
The founder and CEO of Dr. Jim Bohn Consulting is a prolific author, having written business books such as “Architects of Change: Practical Tools to Build, Lead and Sustain Organizational Initiatives,” “If Your Water Cooler Could Talk: Organizational Engagement: Getting Beyond Employee Engagement” and “The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership: Getting the Job Done.”
I asked Bohn to share some of the keys for business leaders to manage periods of massive change - as in the kinds of challenges a commingled pandemic and economic downturn are producing.
“Overall, the most important thing leaders can do is to reduce anxiety in their organizations right now,” Bohn said. “Trying to help people establish some form of 'normal work life' is important - schedule, place to work, expectations for communications and follow-up.
“People are already afraid. They don't need you to add fear. Stress levels are extremely high right now from so many additional unforeseen daily changes. Leaders who are careful about how they communicate concerns will be well received by their teams. The reverse is also true,” Bohn said.
Here are Bohn’s top 10 suggestions for business leaders to manage change amid the crises of 2020:
Communication at the emotional level is key. “Leaders who demonstrate a true concern and empathy for people are going to do much better than those who simply get frustrated because people aren't coming into work. This is a time to be empathetic, but not pathetic. No need to share all your personal troubles but find a way to relate to your team,” Bohn said.
Meetings are a serious drain on people during “normal” business cycles and even more so during a crisis. “Online meetings are a heavier demand because of family management. Find a way to ensure people aren't spending their entire day in wasteful online meetings. Make meetings count - no longer than necessary. People don't want to be stuck looking at their colleagues’ screens all day,” Bohn said.
Give people a way out at the end of the day. “They don't have to answer emails after a certain time of day, for example. When they're connected at home, people become uncertain about when they can actually quit their day, if they are white-collar workers,” Bohn said.
Don't set expectations you can't keep. “People are so anxious right now. They need to be able to trust everything leaders are saying,” Bohn said.
Don't make your people responsible for something they didn't sign up for or cause. “If the numbers aren't going to work the next quarter, don’t put that on your people,” Bohn said.
Recognize people who have come up with good ideas for sharing information. “And ask for ideas from your team,” Bohn said.
Make sure your technology of data-sharing is secure and that it works.
Keep people up to date on progress so they have a sense of accomplishment.
Let your people know of any federal, state or local changes to regulations that could influence their jobs.
Realize that the things leaders do during this time of stress are going to be remembered long after this crisis. “The good leaders will be remembered for keeping people informed and cared for. Those who transmitted their own anxiety to their people will not be remembered in a good way,” Bohn said.
Name: Dr. Jim Bohn
Title and organization: Dr. Jim Bohn Consulting (https://drjimbohn.com)
Expertise: Business consultant and author
Education: Ph.D. in leadership and master’s degree in Cultural Foundations of Education from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; and bachelor’s degree in business management from Cardinal Stritch University.
Best advice ever received: "Ignore the detractors."
Family: Rescue cat named Oliver
Favorite movie: "The Hunt for Red October."
Favorite musical acts: Larry Carlton, Joe Bonamassa, Kostia Efimov (Milwaukee)
Favorite Wisconsin restaurant: Wickman House in Door County
