The Importance of Change Management and Innovation

Innovation is defined as “a new idea, method, or device,” according to merriam-webster.com. It sounds so simple, yet the complexity behind it can be mind-boggling.

Defining what innovation means in your organization may include challenging everyday operations, creating more value for customers, or finding ways to change behaviors to operate more efficiently. But it’s not enough to just say “we need to be more innovative.” You need to teach people how to innovate and help them expand knowledge and skill in managing change.

Applying these principles can help you build a more innovative organization:

Get real. You have to be honest about what’s working and what’s not. Seek feedback from your clients, partners, and peers. Be willing to dig deep into your processes, people, and tools, and figure out what needs to be better.

Challenge the status quo. We’ve all heard someone say, “we have always done it that way.” This phrase has held people, teams, and companies back with toxic complacency. Instead, think about what you’re trying to accomplish and how you can do it better. Challenge how you approach managing change at your organization. What haven’t you tried because “we’ve always done it that way”? What’s holding you back and how can you remove that barrier? What’s one more thing you could be doing to serve your stakeholders, peers, and partners?

Act with thoughtful velocity. You need to go slow to go fast. We’re all rushing to do everything at once, but change, especially innovative change, takes time. You must set goals, milestones, and hit your targets, but be sure to set a realistic timeline to do so. (Hint: If you’re constantly shifting your project plan, you probably didn’t give yourself enough time!) When you set a realistic timeline, you remove some of the angst and worry, knowing you will do what needs to be done right the first time.

Avaap’s market-leading change practitioners take on topics that business professionals at every level face and provide strategic insights to effectively navigate change. Take a moment to watch our Monday Morning Musings to learn about the latest change innovations and actionable advice to improve change management for your project success.

Read to talk change management for your organization? We’d love to innovate with you!