Change will come, how to make it easier

If you aren't embracing change in your organization it can be easy for your company to quickly become outdated and behind the times. You need to implement change once and awhile to avoid becoming stagnant and falling behind your competition. As the manager of the company one of your roles is to implement change and to make sure it is managed effectively. It's no question that a lot of people reject change and it can be hard for them to fully accept it. An effective leader will be able to implement change into an organization and help the employees fully embrace it through their positive influence. So what can you do to prepare yourself and your employees for change? Here are some great tips that may help:

• Prepare for change. If you anticipate certain changes are coming near, prepare yourself and your staff for it. Some things that you can anticipate usually focus around your equipment, software, machinery, etc. As you and your employees notice things around the office that are becoming outdated, you will all be able to embrace the changes easier.
• Get excited. Although it is comfortable to remain in the same routine for a long time, it will eventually become stagnant. You should succumb to the temptation to write off change. You need to embrace it and convince your employees of the importance of change.
• Address concerns. Employees are going to struggle with change. They will have fears and questions about it and as the manager you need to help them deal with their anxiety. They need to know the changes you propose are easy to learn and will make their jobs easier. As they see you embracing the changes, they will have an easier time embracing them as well.
• Don't punish. You do need to hold your employees accountable if they are not following the new changes but you should punish them in the beginning because they are trying to understand them. Be sure you talk to your employees and help them gain confidence in the new changes. Quite often resistance to change happens due to lack of information.
• Get a jump start. Six months before you know you will implement changes, try to get a jump start on some of the changes. Involve your employees early in the changes so they can accept them and provide help to other employees along the way when you finally do implement changes.
• Train your staff. Quite often employees get upset about changes because they just don't understand them. If you aren't training them on the new changes, it will frustrate them and they will revert back to their old ways because it's the only thing they know.
• Have patience. Eventually your employees will embrace the changes. There will be a time period when you need to listen to them whine. As long as you provide them with facts and quality reason as to why the changes need to occur, you will have an easier time listening to their initial complaints.
• Take the lead. As the manager, your job is to set the example for everyone else. While it may not be your favorite thing to do, you need to set up and take the lead to implement the changes. If your employees see that you are not fearful of the changes they will have an easier time embracing them.
• Mentor your employees. Build an environment that fosters teamwork. When your staff works together to build up the organization and provides everyone with the information and support they need, it will be easy to embrace change.