Tailored leadership development, change management and career transition programs

Changing business needs may lead an organisation to consider restructuring. Reorganising a business to improve profitability gives rise to a range of issues that need addressing if the restructure is to succeed. A successful restructure involves not only the creation of a sound strategy, but the effective implementation of that strategy.

Successful implementation requires keeping employees on side during a restructure. The entire project could be at risk if staff are uncertain or continue to resist the changes being made.

It is important to consider the effect of major organisational change on employees. While changes may produce many benefits in the long term, such as improved efficiency and access to resources, the reality of managing change and shifting responsibilities is very stressful for all involved. This is especially true where redundancies are concerned, as staff cutbacks are traumatic even for those who remain.

Managing staff is not easy at times of dramatic organisational change. The key to successfully managing a restructure is ensuring that employees understand their roles and responsibilities and have a relationship of trust with their managers and supervisors. Clearly communicating the bigger picture and outlining the immediate and relevant benefits is critical.

Restructures are stressful times for managers and leaders and as organisational change becomes an increasingly common business reality, it is essential that all those in leadership roles learn the skills necessary for effectively managing staff in times of change.
 
Lee Hecht Harrison's team of consultants and experts are intimately acquainted with the challenges associated with restructuring and managing organisational change. In partnering with LHH, your team will have access to a wide range of tailored programs in leadership development, change management and career transition. Our career transition services provide a range of different options to support employees affected by restructures to move smoothly into the next phase of their career, enabling them to have a positive experience and ensuring your reputation remains intact.

Downsizing

Downsizing is difficult for all involved. Employees whose roles become redundant may be traumatised and experience shock, while those who retain their positions will also be affected. Retained employees are expected to smoothly transition into a new organisational structure – not always an easy task.

In modern business practice, large scale organisational change such as downsizing is increasingly common, and leadership and change management skills have become essential for those in management positions. Strong leadership is needed to ensure a workforce successfully negotiates organisational change. Optimism, direction and positive communication are critical to maintaining productivity and focus in employees who may be plagued by doubt, uncertainty and the trauma of losing their co-workers.

It is imperative that individuals leaving the organisation are well supported and understand the options available to them. Helping affected staff successfully manage their transition will ensure that employees harbour no ill-feelings toward the organisation and speak positively of the support provided.

As the transition phase nears completion, managers and employees who have retained their positions may need training and assistance with steering the organisation back onto the right track. People are often reluctant to let go of the old and embrace the new, and can feel vulnerable and uncertain, or stressed by change and new responsibilities.  

Downsizing is here to stay and it is essential to develop practices and partnerships that help affected employees with career transition and provide coaching in leadership skills, resilience and change management. For over thirty years, Lee Hecht Harrison has successfully partnered a range of organisations needing help with managing change. We have a wide and varied range of services to assist with downsizing and restructuring, career transition, leadership consulting, workforce solutions, and more.  

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