Permanent linkBeing successful with a cultural change initiative requires getting everyone on board early in the process. To change the momentum of the status quo the majority of people have to start pulling in the same direction. One way to begin the conversation is to ask the question, "Who wants to be a loser?" Nobody raises their hand - even if they have some twisted desire they won't for fear that their co-workers will think they're more nuts than they already thought. No one I have ever met wakes up with an eager anticipation of completing the day just to say, "Man! I feel great. I was such a loser today!"
Then ask the question, "Who wants to feel good about themselves? Who likes to be happy?" Everyone raises their hand. The goal of asking these questions is to begin getting staff and management to see that everyone has this in common. When people like the outcome of something then they are more likely to do it - the first time, then again and again. When management understands that people can act, react, get and provide feedback, and participate in a structured manner while producing positive emotions then we have leaped over a large hurdle on the path of positive change. They will continue to act in this manner and begin to change the culture toward continuous improvement.
Management must establish a framework for operating in a positive change environment to establish the rules of tolerable change (read Office Kaizen 2, William Lareau, 2011). If you try to change too much, too fast...the wheels will fly off and the car will crash. Go forward with purpose at a manageable pace. Encourage people to try things. Have them speak up about what they think is dumb or what they don't like. Do this in a way that is not destructive to individuals, the unit, or the organization. Then give them the freedom to try a new way of doing things to improve the process if allowed by policy, ethics, and law. But don't forget to set performance expectations and measure results. If they fail, congratulate them for trying. If they succeed then you've got a winning team. You are well on your way toward a continuous improvement culture.