How To Create a Culture of Change

A Culture of Change Can Support Short- and Long-term Success
There should be no question — businesses that want to succeed need to create a culture of change to support their long-term strategies.  Because strategy must go through culture to get successfully executed, strategies without an aligned culture will only carry the business so far.

Plan for the Future
The best and most successful companies look at the big picture and plan for the future. No matter what business you are in or what your strategic plan may be, there is one universal constant: change. So if you are to succeed long-term, you need to develop a culture of change that can adapt to shifting circumstances.

You Need a Culture of Change
Because the norms and values that worked yesterday may not work tomorrow, you need to build a culture of change so the company-wide mindset prepares and encourages employees to continual new and innovative ways of working.

Five Immediate Steps to Create a Culture of Change
Are you ready to drive toward a culture of change to increase the likelihood of long-term business success? Here is what you must do to create a culture of change:

1. Clarify Your Purpose
   Define why you are in business. When the work force is clear on your vision and mission, they are more likely to be more engaged and committed to higher performance.
   
   
2. Re-think Needed Behaviors
   Identify the desired behaviors that support your purpose. Consider how the desired behaviors differ from current behaviors, how employees will have to think differently, and what systems and processes need to be in place to encourage and reward those behaviors.
   
   
3. Take a Multi-Faceted Approach
   Creating a culture of change will happen slowly and should be addressed on a number of fronts. Your approach should include securing leadership buy-in, providing targeted employee development, having regular and frequent communications, creating opportunities for open questions and discussion, and designing a performance management system that monitors and rewards desired behaviors.
   
   
4. Build Flexibility
   Break down silos and establish more diverse and interdisciplinary teams. When teams become too specialized and monochromatic, they lose their ability to adapt to change. A culture of change requires flexibility so the business can shift as needed and take advantage quickly of new opportunities.
   
   
5. Establish Continuous Learning
   When continuous learning is highly valued, employees constantly look for better ways to do things. They are open to new ideas and are able to respond faster and more favorably when changes occur.

The Bottom Line
Prepare for tomorrow’s success with a high performing culture of change that aligns with your business and people strategies.

If you want to learn more about how to create a culture of change, download 3 Levels of Culture that Must Be Addressed for Lasting Culture Change