8 out of 10 change projects fail! This is actually completely incomprehensible in view of the large number of studies, books, training and counselling options on this top topic, isn't it? Especially in view of its explosive nature! Our modern business world also demands ever greater expertise in dealing with change - while companies seem to be less and less able to cope with it. What's going on?
We must finally accept that people are at the centre of every change. We have to manage to convince our employees and managers of our change plans, ideally even get them excited about them. In the end, they are the ones who decide between success and failure with different behaviour and new ways of working.
But how do we get people to behave differently?
Seminars and training courses don't really help. Because knowledge is irrelevant to our behaviour. Otherwise all doctors would be non-smokers, politicians would be loved for their radical honesty and no policeman would ever get a parking ticket.
"What's in it for me? ’ is the crucial question and it is strongly linked to emotions. In addition to new methods to stimulate new ways of thinking and a trusting environment to ensure constructive collaboration, emotions are essential to create interest, acceptance and motivation. After all, we all want to know why a change is necessary, what we stand to gain from it and how we can achieve it. No change without emotions!
An OKR introduction also has an impact on many areas and therefore also always means change.
The secret to a successful change project lies in open collaboration: turn those affected into participants! Develop the ‘why’ for and with your employees. Take their fears, worries and concerns into account and communicate often, simply and authentically.
And keep at it. The introduction is only the first step. The next step is to anchor OKR as a method and mindset and to support the transformation process professionally and holistically.
PS: In our white paper ‘OKR in practice’, we also address the topic of headwinds during OKR implementation, which you can read here!