Business Management Skills

There’s significant value in having the ability to turn middle manager change resistance into support. One method for accomplishing this goal is through the Quad A model. There exists a different aspect to the picture that should be kept in mind. Some of business change management entails being mindful of the things not to do. If you would like to call down the wrath of middle managers in your organization, feel free to stop reading. If you would like to get the most from middle management what follows are some suggestions that might help you.

Failing to include middle management in the planning of a change is going to increase their resistance. Including them usually results in less problematic plans. It is also a way to increase the likelihood that they will get behind the plan. People are more protective and supportive of things they helped design. Also, while this is going on, do not treat them like they are the bad guys. It’s important to bear in mind that the best intentioned change is still going to make their lives harder. The foundation for the objections they raise comes directly out of their run the business experiences.

Never assume that their resistance to your ideas are indicative of personal flaw on their part. Everyone is trying to do their job. Unless there is a compelling reason to believe otherwise, most of the issues you encounter will not be personal. Given that, try to give their objections a fair hearing. They are in the work environment every day. They have valid insights and you should note and deal with every objection. Consider it to be a to-do list. For a free video tutorial on dealing with middle managers, please see our website: Business Change Management blog

Do not act as though middle management don’t have busy schedules. No, some of those managers may not have their noses to the grindstone all day long. A great many of them are in that exact situation. They don’t have time to waste and will resent business change management projects that look like they are a giant waste of time. It is to your benefit to assume that they are just as busy as you are on a day-to-day basis.

In terms of the bigger picture, here are two things to try to steer clear of to protect the business change management effort. Avoid project stalling at all costs. While analysis may be part of the process, it should never lead you down the road to paralysis. The change will happen. The project has to move to see fruition. If a workaround solutions works, don’t toss it. They may be imperfect solutions, but perfection is rare commodity. There’s no reason why the workaround cannot be replaced later. In the short term, though, use them to get the project moving. That’s what it is all about.

For more information, including extensive online video tutorials, please see our website: Business Change Management blog