The change superpowers we need for success

23 Aug

Written By Ed Pike

Change Capabilities

We set out to revisit the Change Capability Matrix, taking into account the skills, attitudes and capabilities that change agents need in todays uncertain and demanding environment. The expectations of change agents are higher than ever. We sourced suggestions from the changeXchange thinktank attendees, and the LinkedIn OCP group. Below is the summary of the capabilities sourced. Our next step is to expand these into four capability levels; baseline, developing, experienced and mastery.

STRATEGIC

These capabilities look at our ability to assess the business need, design human centric solutions, external impact and build and execute a great change strategy.

Business: Business acumen, Business outcomes, Clarity of vision and benefits, Value realisation
Design: Behaviour based design, Human centric design, Sustainable solutions
External: Competing priorities, Holistic perspective, External Impact and consequences
Strategy: Issue identification, Strategic acumen, Vision, Change strategy, Change definition,
Manage: Change planning, Monitor and manage, Tech savvy

SENSEMAKING

The ability to ‘read the room’, look beyond what someone is saying, to choose the data points that will give great insight.

Insights: Data analytics and insights, Rigor, Assess capability and capacity
Sensemaking: Cultural awareness, look beyond the words, Human led, Read the room, Stakeholder understanding

COMMUNICATION

A core skill and one that enables our ability to be effective

Give Clarity: Create clarity, Bring a Vision to life
Effective Communications: Simplicity, Communicate with impact, Storytelling, , Social media

RELATIONSHIPS

Our effectiveness has a high correlation with our ability to build relationships and coach others.

Coaching Others: Coaching leaders
Comfort with Conflict: Ability to say No, or pivot, Conflict management, Professional detachment, Tough conversations
Emotions: Create emotional connection, Emotional intelligence, Empathy
Relationships: Relationship building, Stakeholder management, Inclusive, Diverse, Support
Trust: Building trust, Create trusted relationships, Trusted advisor

PERSUASION

So much of change is persuade or inspire others to do something differently

Be Curious: Ask questions, Curiosity, Experiment, Listening
Decision Making: Effective decision-making
Inspire others: Create collective action, Create followership, Create high performing teams, Inspire others, inspiring
Persuasion: Create conviction, Influence, Leadership commitment, Adoption, Persuasion, Reframing, Engaging leaders
Resistance: Surface and manage resistance

SELF

The abilities and attitudes which will help us be successful in our emotionally charged, often uncertain world.