When a change is implemented without effective communication, the aftermath often sounds something like this:
The Struggle with Uncommunicated Change
“Did this change happen yesterday?”
“I wasn’t aware of this.”
“My document still reflects the previous process.”
“Who would be the best person to clarify this with?”
This is where the real struggle begins. It’s not necessarily an aversion to change itself, but rather a consequence of individuals not being adequately informed and prepared in advance.
A clear notification, a timely update, and a single, reliable source for information could prevent a significant amount of confusion down the line.
Here are some practical ways to handle it:
* Share the change early, even if every detail is not final yet.
* Clearly articulate what changed, why it changed, and the effective date.
* Maintain one consistently updated reference point to avoid conflicts between old and new instructions.
* Provide team leads and managers with a concise summary they can easily convey in their own words, fostering early team awareness.
* Allow for a dedicated period for questions after the change goes live, as confusion often manifests after initial implementation.
* Keep the message brief and specific, avoiding an overload of policy or technical jargon.
Your Experience
How do you handle these “I was not aware” moments when a change goes live?
