JS Tip 591: Leading Through Change, Part II

Last week we introduced a discussion about leading through change. (Through pandemic. Through economic upheaval. Through social turmoil.)

We introduced the acronym ADKAR (awareness, desire, knowledge, ability, and reinforcement) as a leadership tool. 

We promised to explore each of the principles. Today: awareness. 

Awareness

Awareness is not just recognizing change is happening. 

Awareness is recognizing the need for change: “The way we’re doing things isn’t working anymore.”

It includes sharing the need and the opportunities with those you lead: “This is what we can do, this is why we should do it, and these are the benefits that will come from it.” 

For Example

The pandemic crushed business for Royal Slopes Window Cleaning in Salt Lake City.*

The CEO recognized the company had to change and shared that need with his teams. They—together—brainstormed a way to use their window-washing skills to fill a new need. 

A. 

New. 

Need. 

They began offering grocery delivery and disinfection services to vulnerable citizens. They use their vehicles, supplies, and tools to do it. And they do it for free. (They hope the free service will eventually bring in more customers.) 

See the need. Communicate the need. Communicate the advantages. 

We love this stuff.

We’re grateful to Hollie Doyle for the discussion. 

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* We took this case study from the internet: https://www.ksl.com/article/46742518/small-window-cleaning-business-now-offering-free-grocery-delivery-sanitation, retrieved on July 30th, 2020.