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Monday, September 8, 2025

Lean Tips Edition #321 (#3841 - #3855)

For my Facebook fans you already know about this great feature. But for those of you that are not connected to A Lean Journey on Facebook or Twitter I post daily a feature I call Lean Tips.  It is meant to be advice, things I learned from experience, and some knowledge tidbits about Lean to help you along your journey.  Another great reason to like A Lean Journey on Facebook.


Here is the next addition of tips from the Facebook page:


Lean Tip #3841 – Successful Leaders Challenge Norms to Seek New Opportunities

Successful change leaders are willing to challenge the status quo and seek new windows of opportunities when required. In certain situations they challenge the current perceptions, rules and procedures in order to deliberately create uncertainty and re-set the norms. However, change leaders also need to be realistic and call for caution when the organization is under severe pressure. They understand the practical limits on the amount of change which can be achieved using logic, facts and data to find rational and solid solutions.

Lean Tip #3842 – Driving Change is About Action

Driving change is often about being action-oriented, persistent and willing to put in more effort when setbacks are encountered. Successful leaders move others into action in a way they can readily accept, by proactively suggesting concrete steps for others to be taken in order to achieve the expected organizational results. However, to drive change, leaders also need to be forward-looking and introduce new and innovative ways of working by envisioning how current structures and processes can be further improved.

Lean Tip #3843 – Change Leaders Must Set the Purpose and Direction to Empower Employees

Successful change leaders are willing to set the purpose and direction for the work of others, and clearly identify objectives, roles, responsibilities and deadlines. They don't shy away from using forceful speech and setting high demands whenever required, even if it means being tough and assertive, putting people under pressure. But in order to drive change, leaders must also be open and inclusive and ask others for alternative ideas to secure their active involvement. By empowering others and stimulating personal and professional growth, successful leaders also act as talent magnets, ensuring an efficient leadership pipeline in the organization.

Lean Tip #3844 – Change Leaders Bring People Together and Build Consensus

By bringing forward convincing and conclusive arguments, successful change leaders act as strong role models and encourage others to follow. They push the agenda forward by actively defending agreed principles and given mandates, and persuade others to follow by being directive and credible. However, successful change leaders also have the ability to foster alliances and build efficient networks in order to increase others' commitment. They manage to bring people together, build consensus and create win-win situations.

Lean Tip #3845 – Change Leaders are Driven But Understand the Value of Collaboration

Successful change leaders are strongly driven and eager to meet and even exceed expectations. They have the determination, resilience and discipline needed to deliver the best possible organizational results given the circumstances, and always deliver the necessary quality on time - even when meeting opposition. However, successful change leaders also recognize that they can achieve more in collaboration with others, being fully aligned with organizational visions and missions.

Lean Tip #3846 – Effective Communication is the Foundation of Success Organizational Change

Effective communication is the foundation of any successful effort when you’re leading organizational change. When introducing any kind of change, leaders should take ownership of communicating it to the entire team early and often. The bigger the change, the more strategic the communication plan should be. Determine who needs to know what and when. Timing is critical, too. I can’t emphasize enough how important clear and timely communication is when driving change in the workplace to ensure employees feel properly informed. Communicating broadly too early before the change occurs can leave too much time for employees to fret, and waiting until the last minute can catch people off-guard.

Lean Tip #3847 – Empower Change Champions Within Your Organization

To drive change effectively, you need support at all levels of the organization – not just those at the top. While leadership often initiates organizational changes, team buy-in plays a crucial role in how successful the initiative will be. People are much more likely to buy in if others they work with are on board, too. For this reason, consider identifying and empowering change champions within your organization. Change champion refers to an employee who is active in demonstrating their support of the change process. These individuals bridge the gap between leadership and the wider team to ensure a smooth transition. Therefore, having champions engaged at all levels is key.

Lean Tip #3848 – Anticipate Pitfalls and How to Address Them

With any change, there is going to be an adjustment period. Anytime you are leading organizational change, create a strategy in advance that anticipates potential pitfalls early and how to address them. Skipping this step could leave leaders unprepared once the initiative is already underway. While it’s not possible to predict everything that could go wrong, thoughtful preparation can help leaders make workplace changes less overwhelming for their teams.

Lean Tip #3849 – Celebrating Success Reinforces the Process and Motivates Employees

Once a change has been implemented, celebrate its success. Highlighting the positive outcomes of organizational changes not only reinforces the value of the effort, but also motivates your team for future initiatives. This is an important part of the process, especially if the change has had its share of pain points for any reason. Leaders should use this opportunity to draw attention to the benefits, demonstrating why undertaking this organizational change was important for growth and success.

Lean Tip #3850 – Leaders Need Adjust Their Plans to Succeed With Change

Flexibility is so important when driving change in the workplace. Any new idea is just an idea until it is implemented in the real world. What works in theory may not always succeed in practice, so leaders should be willing to adjust their plans as needed to implement successful organizational change. If possible, pilot changes with a small group before rolling them out to the entire organization. See what works and what doesn’t, and make tweaks based on that exercise. Fine-tuning your process sends a message to your employees that while organizational change is inevitable, you want to ensure it isn’t done in a vacuum and are open to feedback to make it most effective.

Lean Tip #3851 – Establish the Goal for Change Within Your Organization

Before embarking on any change initiative, it’s helpful to have a clear understanding of your company’s objectives and performance metrics. Evaluate where your organization stands currently and identify areas for improvement. Establishing a well-defined goal provides a guideline for the change process.

Lean Tip #3852 – Cerate a Roadmap for Achieve Your Change Objectives

Develop a comprehensive plan that outlines the reasons for change, defines its scope, identifies key stakeholders, assembles a dedicated team, and maps out the necessary steps to achieve your objectives. A structured roadmap serves as a blueprint for navigating potential challenges and ensures alignment across the organization.

Lean Tip #3853 – Transparent Communication Build Trust and Reduces Resistance to Change

Effective communication is key when driving change. Transparent and frequent communication increases understanding, builds trust, and reduces resistance among employees. Keep your team informed about the reasoning behind the change, its potential impact, and how they can contribute to its success.

Lean Tip #3854 – Invest in Training to Foster Collaboration and Drive Change at All Levels

Providing effective training for your employees may help reduce the fear and negativity associated with change. Training your managers can give them the tools they need to confidently support teams through the adjustment period. Investing in comprehensive training programs can give your team the skills and knowledge needed to adapt to new processes. Building trust within the organization is essential for fostering collaboration and driving change. Create a leadership team that is help accountable for driving organizational change. For any improvement initiative and change to achieve a positive impact on the business bottom line, it is critical to have demonstrated support and commitment at the top levels of leadership.

Lean Tip #3855 – Prepare for Roadblocks

Despite meticulous planning, obstacles are bound to happen during the change process. Anticipate potential roadblocks and develop contingency plans to address them easily.

Change is not just a necessity but an opportunity for organizations to thrive in an ever-evolving business scene. By embracing change, companies can encourage innovation, enhance employee engagement, and gain a competitive edge in the market. Implementing best practices for driving change enables organizations to navigate challenges effectively and achieve sustainable growth in the long run.

 

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