Kotter's Eight-Step Change Model Video

If you've ever tried to make a big change in your team or organization, you'll know you can't just expect everyone to hop onboard! Many people feel wary of change. So it's important to prepare them for it and guide them through the process. 

John Kotter's "8-Step Change Model" is a useful approach to follow, and this video shows you how. 

Kotter's first step is to create a sense of urgency around the need for change. This helps spark the motivation in your team to get things moving. Discuss the threats of not changing, and the opportunities that successful change will offer. Give people the chance to ask questions and get involved. 

Next, get together a powerful coalition of people who are willing to show their support for your idea. A mix of respected leaders, experts and stakeholders, from across your organization, can make highly effective champions. 

Then, create a vision for change. Explain the values that are central to the process, and share an inspiring picture of the future that people will want to be part of. 

The fourth step is to keep communicating your vision, frequently and powerfully, and to embed it in everything you do. Talk about it at every chance you get, and "walk the talk" to demonstrate the kind of behavior you're looking for from others. 

One of the most helpful things you can do for your team members is to remove any obstacles in their path. Are there any processes or structures that are holding up change? Is there anyone who still needs convincing? If so, focus your energies there. Then, recognize and reward people for making change happen. 

There are three more steps to follow in Kotter's Change Model: Creating Short-Term Wins, Building on the Change, and Anchoring the Change. 

To learn about them, and the tools that will help you put the whole model into practice, read the article   that accompanies this video.