Fear Less: Introducing Change into Organizations

Dr. Mary Lynn Manns

University of North Carolina at Asheville

manns@unca.edu

True or False:It is always best for the boss to introduce any changes into the

organization.

So what is the role of the boss when changes are introduced

into the organization?

True or False:If you’re smart (you are!) and you know what to do (you do!), then

you don’t need a lot of help from others to introduce the new idea.

You can’t and shouldn’t do it alone?…Why not?

Who else should help?

True or False:If we just explain the value in the new idea, people will understand

and will accept it.

So if we can’t just get people to accept the new idea by

explaining the value in it, what else should we do?

Different people accept new ideas at different rates

Do you know these people?• This is new so it is cool.• This is an interesting idea, but I want to hear more

before making a decision.• I want to see what other people think about the

new idea before I make a decision.• I’ll accept the new idea when I have to.• It’s always been done this way … why do we have

to introduce anything new?

Different people accept new ideas at different rates

• The Innovator (2.5%)

• The Early Adopter (13.5%)

• The Early Majority (34%)

• The Late Majority (34%)

• The Laggard (16%)

So what?

True or False:Since “Innovators” get so

excited about new ideas, we can ask them to try to convince

others.

Well, if “Innovators” aren’t the best people to convince others,

who are?

Different people accept new ideas at different rates

Innovator: This is new so it is cool.Early Adopter: This is an interesting idea, but I want

to hear more before making a decision.Early Majority: I want to see what other people think

about the new idea before I make a decision.Late Majority: I’ll accept the new idea when I have

to.Laggard: It’s always been done this way … why do

we have to do anything new?

True or False:The best way to deal with people who are against the new idea is

to try to keep them out of the way.

So what is the best way to deal with people who are against the

new idea?

True or False:If you want to convince someone about the new idea, you must be

sure you know a lot about it.

If you want to convince someone about the new idea, you must be

sure you know a lot about it.And what else?

True or False:When you wish to introduce a new idea into an organization,

you need a specific plan for how you are going to do it.

No plan? …Then what do you do instead?

So what have you learned about introducing a new idea to a group of people ….

What have you learned about…

• .. who can introduce the change• .. the danger in trying to do it alone• .. the way individuals accept change• .. how you can encourage various individuals to

help you introduce the new idea• .. how you should handle the skeptics• .. what else is important in convincing people

besides the fact that you know a lot• .. the type of plan you should have

Go out and make great changes

in the world!