Change Management Part 3:
Part 3: After the Change – Reflections and Moving Forward
The transformation journey at the University of Lily Meadow has been a challenging yet rewarding experience. With the implementation phase complete, it’s time to reflect on the changes, celebrate the successes, and learn from the challenges. This final part of our series focuses on what comes after the change, ensuring lasting impact and continuous improvement.
Post-Change Acknowledgment and Celebration: We’re a firm believer in celebrating successes and expressing gratitude. Acknowledging and celebrating the successes, no matter how small, is crucial for maintaining morale. The University of Lily Meadow navigated through significant changes, and it was important to recognize the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. The leadership team hosted a Town Hall to thank all staff and faculty members for their contributions and resilience. This gesture helped reinforce a sense of community and shared purpose, which was essential for moving forward.
Conducting a Post-Mortem: To establish psychological safety within teams, we conducted thorough post-mortem analyses. This involved openly critiquing the process, identifying mistakes, and discussing ways to improve. Creating a safe space for honest feedback was vital for continuous learning and growth.
Establishing a Stewardship team: To ensure ongoing success, a Stewardship team, comprised of both staff and management, has been established. This team is responsible for reinforcing the transformation, strengthening the new culture, conducting the post-mortem analyses, and organizing celebrations.
Ensuring Ongoing Success:
Trust as a Metric: Measuring the efficacy of the change management process involved assessing trust within the organization. We developed a scorecard to gauge whether staff believed in the institution’s communications and the pathway set out. Trust became a key indicator of the success of our efforts.
Team Dynamics and Behavior Expectations: Ensuring that new teams worked well together was another critical metric. We focused on establishing shared expectations and holding team members accountable for their behavior. This included setting clear guidelines for handling conflict and making decisions collaboratively.
Resourcing and Knowledge Transfer: To sustain the changes, we emphasized the importance of resourcing and knowledge transfer. This involved providing ongoing training and support to staff, ensuring they had the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the new environment.
The journey of change at the University of Lily Meadow has been transformative, not just for the institution but also for everyone involved. By laying a strong foundation, implementing changes thoughtfully, and reflecting on the outcomes, we helped the university navigate its path to financial sustainability, operational excellence, and enriched learning experiences. As the University of Lily Meadow continues to evolve, the principles of effective change management will remain at its core, guiding future transformations and ensuring a bright and sustainable future.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. If you’re looking to embark on a similar transformation, remember that the key to success lies in understanding your organization’s heart and mind, addressing invisible barriers, and preparing thoroughly for change. At Sense & Nous, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.