Navigating the Politics and Emotions of Change

Even the most sensible change initiatives can flounder if emotions and political dynamics within an organization are ignored. But a five-step process can proactively address these “softer” factors — and enable successful change.

BY ELLEN R. AUSTER AND TRISH RUEBOTTOM

In today’s fast-paced economy, leaders know that their organization’s success may be tightly linked to its ability to change and change again — and again. Most executives have a portfolio of tools that they use for developing their strategic plans, structure, metrics and other “hard aspects” of change. However, their approach to tackling the “softer side of change” and, more specifically, navigating the politics and emotions associated ...