When change is happening to people without sufficient explanation, they will instinctively resist it. To help people understand what is going on, it is important to let them know what the change is and why it is happening. To influence change, educate people about the change itself.
Answer the natural questions people will want to know to help them decide to get on board:
- What is the change?
- Why are we doing it?
- What are the goals?
- What’s in it for me?
- How will I be affected?
- What is required for this to be successful?
- When will it start and end?
- Who is supporting this?
Use multiple communication vehicles to inform people about the change. Typical top-down vehicles include newsletters, town hall meetings and e-mail blasts. Also, make sure education about the change also occurs in one-on-one conversations and team meetings between managers and employees to make it personal.
How might you educate people about the change?
Read more of the 99 Ways to Influence Change.