Help Employees Make Sense Of Uncertainties During Difficult Organizational Changes

Today’s best managers know how to help employees make sense during chaotic organizational changes. First, discuss with employees how they can get started. Next, help employees clearly define the problems that need to be solved. Then, help employees identify places where the organization is stuck, and areas that seem impossible to solve. Next, help employees critique and link existing options that may help the company reach solutions. Then, help employees experiment with ways to solve problems, and challenge and motivate employees to try new solutions. Finally, help employees reach a workable, but not absolute, certainty in which everyone can all work successfully.

Source: Luscher, L. S., & Lewis, M. W. 2008. Organizational change and managerial sensemaking: Working through paradox. Academy of Management Journal, 51, 221-240.