Humanising Change
Change management is a critical component of organisational success, but it can often be perceived as a daunting and unapproachable task by employees. One of the key missing elements in effective change management is the human aspect. By shifting the focus to the psychological needs of employees, organisations can address challenges and crises more effectively.
Over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in employee turnover across all industries. In the U.S., the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 4 million Americans quit their jobs in July 2021, with a record-breaking number of 10.9 million open jobs at the end of July 2022. Similarly, in South Africa, the average employee turnover rate over the last 3 years has reached 50%, with the leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and construction industries having the highest turnover rates.
Studies have shown that the majority of individuals resigning are from the Millennial and Generation Z generation groups. The reason for these numbers may be attributed to a fear of stagnation and not achieving the desired lifestyle.
Humanising change can aid in creating flexibility and balance within the workplace, which can help overcome stagnation. Different generations deal with different challenges, and by creating a work environment that addresses these challenges, it becomes easier to retain employees. For example, Baby Boomers desire workplace stability, whereas Generation Z requires an occupation that values family, and Millennials want scope and opportunities in line with their desired lifestyle.
Establishing flexibility within the organisation involves designing a plan that meets the needs of various groups and individuals. Humanising change has an inclusive nature, meaning that if the plan doesn’t work for all, it doesn’t work. Flexibility strategies should not only influence everyone but involve everyone, from management to employees, in the development and implementation of these strategies.
The effectiveness of humanising change can be seen in companies such as WeWork, which specialises in providing working environments tailored to the specific needs of employers and employees. They understand that job security is a fundamental psychological need and that appropriate working environments help to meet that need. More than 50% of Fortune 100 companies are members of the WeWork group, and their employee satisfaction rate of 74% is significantly higher than the U.S. average of 57%.
At Harmonising Change, we believe that in the world of change management, humanising change is the catalyst. Companies interested in implementing a humanised change experience should foster a culture of trust and allow employees to be their authentic selves. To ensure change management efforts are successful, companies must place humans at the centre of their efforts, which involves a combination of living their company purpose and using data and analytics to create personalised and immersive change experiences.
Contact us on info@harmonisingchange.co.za for more information on how we work with teams to humanise change management strategies.
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