CLEAR, INFLUENTIAL SPONSORSHIP IS A MUST BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Executive sponsors are the people with enough position authority to put some weight behind the decision to change. If the executive sponsors do NOT support the change or are on the fence about the change, you have more work to do. Be mindful of their emotions, beliefs, and behaviors and ask yourself if they really understand the need for change and understand their role in the change. If not, consider these actions.
- Dig deeper: Ask questions, inquire as to why the sponsors do not support the change and address those concerns.
- Take the time to teach your sponsor: Be explicit bout the sponsors’ role, including behaviors and actions, to support the change. Check out Seth Godin’s post on taking the time to teach. I found it inspiring – it’s why I do what I do.
- Execute a pilot program to show results first – actions will always speak louder than words. Go back to your change sponsors with those results and restate your case for broader change.
No question, effective sponsorship is a major success factor to any change iniative.
