Master Change Management: Engage with Purpose

As we reach the final step in our ALICE methodology, it’s time to delve into one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of leading change: engaging with purpose. This is the "E" in ALICE, and it plays a pivotal role in ensuring that your change initiatives not only take root but also thrive in your organization.

In this blog, we’ll explore what it means to engage with purpose, why it’s essential, and how you can implement this approach effectively in your organization.

What Does Engaging with Purpose Mean?

At Wonder Services, engaging with purpose involves more than just routine communication or surface-level interactions. It’s about strategically identifying and working with key influencers within your organization—those individuals who have a significant impact on the opinions and behaviors of others. These influencers can range from super users and vocal supporters to skeptics and critics, each holding sway over different segments of your workforce.

Engaging with purpose means actively involving these influencers in your change journey, understanding their concerns, leveraging their influence, and ensuring they are well-informed and aligned with the change objectives.

1. Identify Your Key Influencers

The first step in engaging with purpose is to accurately identify the influencers within your organization. Traditional change management approaches often focus on stakeholders, typically executives or high-level managers. While these individuals are important, they may not be the ones who directly shape the day-to-day opinions of your employees.

Instead, look for those who are naturally followed by others—people who are trusted for their expertise, experience, or simply their ability to navigate the organization’s processes and culture. These influencers might not always be in leadership positions, but they have a strong, informal influence over their peers.

For example, Jane, the super user in your team who everyone turns to for advice, can make or break the success of your change initiative. If Jane is not on board, the ripple effect can be detrimental. Therefore, it’s crucial to engage her from the outset and ensure she is equipped to support the change.

2. Engage Your Influencers with Purpose

Once you’ve identified your influencers, the next step is to engage them in a purposeful, meaningful way. This is not about mass emails or generic communications. Instead, it’s about personalized, one-on-one interactions that are tailored to each influencer’s role, concerns, and level of influence.

Assign someone from your team who has an existing relationship with the influencer to be accountable for engaging them. This person will have regular, structured interactions with the influencer, ensuring they are kept informed, have their questions answered, and feel genuinely involved in the process.

For instance, if Jane is your super user, provide her with talking points, FAQs, and the resources she needs to confidently answer questions from her peers. If you have an influencer who is skeptical about the change, take the time to understand their concerns and involve them in problem-solving discussions.

Each interaction should have a clear purpose—whether it’s to share information, gather feedback, or mobilize the influencer to support the change. This targeted approach ensures that your key influencers become active participants in the change process, helping to spread the message and drive engagement throughout the organization.

3. Listen and Respond to Your Influencers

Perhaps the most critical aspect of engaging with purpose is listening. Influencers are often the first to raise concerns, spot potential issues, or provide feedback that others might hesitate to share. Their input is invaluable for refining your change strategy and ensuring it resonates across the organization.

Encourage open and honest dialogue during your interactions with influencers. Make it clear that their feedback is not only welcome but essential. When they raise questions or concerns, take them seriously. If you don’t have immediate answers, commit to finding them and following up.

After gathering feedback, hold internal meetings to review the insights provided by influencers. Use this information to adjust your communication strategies, training programs, and overall change management plan. By doing so, you demonstrate that you value their input, which in turn builds trust and encourages ongoing collaboration.

Why Engaging with Purpose Matters

Engaging with purpose is more than just a strategy; it’s a mindset that recognizes the power of influence within an organization. By actively involving and listening to your influencers, you create a more agile, responsive change management process that can adapt to challenges and capitalize on opportunities.

In essence, this approach transforms influencers into champions of change, amplifying your efforts and driving greater buy-in across the board. It’s not just about managing change; it’s about leading it with insight, empathy, and precision.