Change from the Inside Out

Change initiatives fail because humans are hardwired to return to what's worked for us in the past. This book offers a straightforward process for rewiring ourselves and those we lead to be more change-capable.

Erika Andersen says avoiding change has been a historical imperative. In this book, she shows how we can overcome that reluctance and get good at making necessary change. Using a fictional story about a jewelry business changing generational hands, Andersen lays out a five-step model for addressing both this human side of change and its practical aspects:

Step One: Clarify the change and why it’s needed - Get clear on what the change is and the benefits it will bring.

Step Two: Envision the future state - Build a shared picture of the post-change future.

Step Three: Build the change - Bring together a change team, engage key stakeholders, and plan the change.

Step Four: Lead the transition - Build a transition plan that supports the human side of the change, then engage the whole organization in making the change.

Step Five: Keep the change going - Work to make your organization permanently more change-capable.

With opportunities to self-reflect and try out the ideas and approaches throughout, this book is a practical guide to thriving in this era of nonstop change.