Read on for a recap of the episode. To access the full transcript, click here.
Navigating Successful Business Transformation
Embarking on a journey of business transformation can be both thrilling and challenging. In this podcast episode, host Erica D'Eramo engages in a conversation with Lisa Carlin, a seasoned strategy execution specialist, to unravel the intricacies of successful business transformation. The discussion spans topics from change management to the pitfalls organizations often encounter and strategies for overcoming them.
Seeing the Full Jigsaw Puzzle: The Importance of Comprehensive Vision
Lisa emphasizes the necessity of having someone who can see all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle when navigating through a transformation. This overarching perspective ensures a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Diverse Voices: Catalysts for Successful Change
Acknowledging the significance of diverse perspectives, Lisa highlights the role of cross-functional working groups in the change process. Involving individuals from various functions, geographies, and backgrounds creates a dynamic approach to change, fostering engagement and loyalty from the onset.
Orchestrating Change: The Role of Strategic Change Professionals
Delving into the spectrum of change resources, Lisa distinguishes between change analysts and strategic change managers. She positions strategic change professionals as those who can seamlessly sit in the middle of business change management, project governance, and the cultural context, orchestrating the entire transformation program.
Measuring the Intangibles: The Human Element in Change
Erica probes Lisa on how to measure the intangibles and leading indicators in change, especially concerning the human and cultural elements. Lisa suggests two key approaches – cross-functional working groups and targeted surveys. By involving people upfront and gathering feedback continuously, organizations can stay attuned to the pulse of the workforce.
Overcoming Passive Resistance: Unraveling the Fear
Delving into the intricacies of passive resistance, Erica and Lisa explore the fears that often lead to resistance. Lisa shares an example from her work with law firms, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying fears. Overcoming inertia, she says, requires creating a pull effect, making people feel invested in the change.
Streamlining Decision-Making: Breaking Free from Bureaucracy
One common stumbling block Lisa often encounters is organizations overprocessing everything. This stems from a risk-averse culture and results in red tape and bureaucracy. The key, she suggests, is finding ways to streamline decision-making, eliminating unnecessary delays and empowering teams to act swiftly.
Avoiding the Pitfalls: Remembering What Matters to People
In the rush for change, it's easy to forget what matters most to different individuals. Lisa cautions against this oversight and emphasizes the need to understand and address the unique concerns and priorities of various stakeholders. This tailored approach ensures that the change aligns with what matters most to those affected.
Conclusion: Turbocharging Your Transformation with Lisa Carlin
As the conversation concludes, Lisa leaves the audience with a powerful takeaway – having someone who sees the whole jigsaw puzzle is critical for successful transformation. For those seeking a deeper dive into these concepts, Lisa offers resources like her Turbocharge Your Transformation membership, providing a platform for global discussions, playbooks, and group coaching sessions.
To connect with Lisa Carlin and explore more insights on successful business transformation, visit her LinkedIn profile. For those intrigued by her weekly tips and updates, subscribe to Turbocharge Weekly, a free newsletter with tips on strategy execution, transformation, projects and change with over 6,000 subscribers who are business leaders, innovators and change makers. You can also join the Turbocharge Your Transformation membership, a community supporting business leaders to accelerate their strategy execution, projects and change to engage in discussions with like-minded professionals, or Google "Turbocharge Your Transformation" and find a global community passionate about driving successful change. You can also access Lisa’s 17 top transformation tips, which lists the secrets to 96% success rate.