Leadership in Action: In Focus - Leading Through Transitions - A Kinder, Gentler, and Better Way to Downsize

NAVIGATING CHANGE

There is no doubt that it is a good idea for organizations to bring in people who can help with the challenges involved in downsizing. But instead of hiring outplacement counselors, a better approach is to engage navigational coaches—professionals who are expert both in helping people make good choices about their work lives and in helping organizations manage enterprise-wide transitions. These coaches can help plan and implement an integrated approach to transition.

Ideally, navigational coaches should be brought in to help management once it has realized that a transition must occur but before it has determined what to do and how to do it. The coaches can attend planning meetings; advise management on setting up revised organizational ...