At Innovisor, clients turn to us at all stages of their change journey. Some are just getting started, some are right in the middle of a change initiative, and others need a re-group. No matter how far they have gotten with their change project, getting to know their informal networks is essential to understanding how to move forward.

This case tells the story of two companies: Company A and Company B. They are of similar sizes and industries. Both have already started their change journey, and both are in the “worry zone” when it comes to overall support for change, scoring around 5% under the Innovisor Benchmark. At first glance, it seems like they are on similar paths.

In reality, Company A needed to stop and re-group while Company B was ready to go forward with their change.

‘Listen, Listen and Listen!’ is the first thing we tell our clients after we identify their informal Change Catalysts. Change Catalysts have an enormous informal influence on the entire organization. They shape the change dialogue and they influence their colleagues’ perceptions without being aware of their informal impact. If your change catalysts are resistant, they easily become a #ChangeBlocker. If your change catalysts are, however, engaged and supportive, you are one step closer to change success, as they indicate how the rest of the organization will see change.

This is why leaders must listen to, understand, engage, and activate their Change Catalysts.

Even though the two companies’ overall results were similar, when we took a closer look at what the Change Catalysts think of change, it was revealed that Company B had an advantage over Company A. Company B already had their Change Catalysts on their side, who were ready to be activated and engaged. Company A was facing resistance. Their Catalysts did not support the change initiative. In some cases, they were actively against it.

We provided an action plan for both clients:

• Company A needed to take a step back, re-group, listen to its Change Catalysts, and re-think its change initiative with a focus on its people. Before they could move forward, they needed to address one of their #Change Blocker, Lack of Key Stakeholder Support.
• Company B was ready to use Change Catalysts to reach the entire organization and listen to their input on moving forward with their project.

No two change journeys are the same! We are ready to be the wingman on your side. Check out our Solutions.