In this episode of Leading Change Conversations, Ulrike and her guest, Sara Vermeulen-Anastasi, look into how to accompany an organization through a vital and difficult transformation where most employees are suspicious and cynical. Tune in if you want to learn about a combination of multi-channel tools to build trust and engagement in such a situation.

Sara was engaged in a pivotal role within a company undergoing a significant and challenging transformation. Colleagues harbored skepticism and cynicism due to past experiences with transformations, some of which did not unfold as successfully as anticipated. Moreover, there existed a heightened sense of apprehension among employees, given that previous transformations had resulted in restructuring and job losses. Sara's overarching objective was to navigate the organization through this transformation and, crucially, to cultivate trust.

To address these challenges, a meticulously crafted multi-channel strategy was implemented, targeting not only rational understanding but also emotional engagement. The linchpin of this strategy centered on middle managers and internal experts, forming a coalition and acting as trusted ambassadors to impart the essence of the change to their respective teams. Creating a compelling narrative that articulated the why, what, when, and the envisioned future constituted a fundamental aspect of the change initiative. 

Key actions undertaken included:

•  Relevance: Middle management and team members were actively involved in explaining the change to their colleagues, making it more relatable and relaying firsthand experiences.
•  Visibility and Buzz: Tangibility was enhanced through the creation of collateral such as T-shirts, generating a buzz around the transformation and making it visually impactful.
•  Ownership: Teams were empowered to take ownership by providing monthly progress updates, fostering a sense of responsibility and accountability.
•  Demonstration: The adage "seeing is believing" was embraced by creating an immersive experience of the change's results, employing virtual reality headsets to showcase the envisioned future.
•  Gamification: Injecting an element of fun into the transformation, certain aspects were gamified to make the process engaging and enjoyable for participants.

By strategically implementing these actions, Sara aimed to not only drive tangible change but also to instill a positive and forward-looking mindset among employees, fostering a culture of collaboration and ownership throughout the transformational journey.

Thanks for tuning into 'Leading Change Conversations'! I hope you found our discussion inspiring and informative. If you enjoyed it, remember to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Plus, sign up for our Newsletter to access our practical transformation roadmaps regularly. 

If you want to improve your own skills in leading change or communicating more effectively check out Ulrike’s online live courses for individuals here. 

Until next time, keep leading, keep learning, and making a difference!

About Sara Vermeulen-Anastasi

Sara is a passionate storyteller and connector with extensive expertise across the complete branding, marketing, communications and sustainability spectrum. Results-focused and hands-on, she has solid cross-industry experience in fast-paced and transformative sectors: from pharma, food and agriculture to IT, technology, geospatial, and logistics. Multi-lingual, a digital advocate and a dyslexic thinker she enjoys developing synergies and integrated solutions to enhance reputations, foster transformation and growth, and especially drive value and impact.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/saravermeulenanastasi

About Ulrike Seminati

Ulrike is a globally operating coach, trainer, and consultant who brings a wealth of experience as a former C-level executive to her expertise in authentic leadership and impactful communication. By blending the latest self-development methodologies with her extensive practical experience in leading across all levels of hierarchy, she enables leaders to establish trust and lead change through effective communication. Ulrike's clients benefit from her pragmatic and user-friendly tools that enable them to make lasting improvements.

Connect with Ulrike!

Website: https://ulrikeseminati.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulrikeseminati/

Email: contact@ulrikeseminati.com