Hello all! We are in a series about how we can ‘do’ change differently. In this post, I focus on the importance of focusing on outcomes/results over activities.

Activities

The activities of change often focus on creating strategies and plans, conducting various assessments, creating playbooks and decks, completing various tools/templates, and adhering to a particular methodology / way of doing things. We often confuse doing these things with “successful change”. To be clear, there is nothing inherently wrong or bad about taking any of these actions. The problem lies in confusing activities with outcomes and results. with declaring that we’ve successfully done our job by having our canned list of activities checked off.

The problem lies in confusing activities with outcomes and results. with declaring that we’ve successfully done our job by having our canned list of activities checked off.

Outcomes

In last month’s blog post I wrote, “If we don’t have clear goals at the beginning of a change initiative (and throughout it as things inevitably change) how can we know if the initiative was successful?”

The goal of a change initiative isn’t to create playbooks and decks, it’s to achieve some sort of business result. When our focus as change practitioners is on how best to help a business achieve these goals, taking into consideration the unique variables and nuances of the situation, our actions will be guided by what will help achieved the desired outcomes and results. We very well make do most, if not all, the traditional activities, but it will be because they fit this particular situation not because “that’s just how change management is done”.

Closing thoughts

I want to hear from you. Have you noticed a difference in change initiatives you’ve been a part of when the focus was on actions vs. when it was on outcomes?

Please post your thoughts and comments below. Let’s help each other become the best change management practitioners and enthusiasts we can be!

Next month I am launching my new business, Human-Centered Change Partners! My next blog post will be the first one from my company website and will be all about this new venture. Stay tuned!

Thank you for reading. Until next time, take care and keep up the good work!

Mike