Ms Sabine Bhanot, Change Management Specialist (UNSSC) Maintaining staff momentum during the transformation process is an essential component in internalizing change, so that transformation becomes an intrinsic part of the Organization rather than just a topic of interest. To assist in this, Ms Sabine Bhanot, Change Management Specialist from the United Nations System Staff Colleges (UNSSC), shares her inputs on implementing reform.
To realize effective change, Sabine emphasizes the need to establish a framework for milestones – recognizing them and celebrating achievements along the transformation journey. She notes that change is a continuum, and so actions for long-term change should be explained coherently and have a feedback loop so that everyone can take stock of where they are.
According to Sabine, incorporating a safe space for staff to feel valued and heard should be rooted in the change process. This will allow room for discussion to determine which approaches are working or those that may require further analysis. With enough investment and time, Sabine says WHO reform will bear fruit among the Organization’s staff, and progress will be seen.
A sign of change taking place is feeling it. People are excited.
To ensure effective human resource management, Sabine highlights three aspects: strategy, process and people. Involving a diverse group of colleagues in the process is a key tool in dealing with resistance to change – a common obstacle that surfaces in the transformation journey – and is pivotal for implementing change initiatives jointly, to avoid working in silos.
Sabine delved deeper into the crucial role of change agents within the Organization to further drive transformation and cultural change in the workplace. Four sets of actors are needed to ensure a tangible change process, she says – a dedicated senior management team, a transformation team for coordination, fully engaged managers and a team of change agents. Healthy leadership engagement with staff paves the way for a positive climate of staff involvement, where the workforce feels appreciated within the Organization. Through regular dialogue and brainstorming among teams, a united approach becomes second nature in determining what change means for each team, and the direction they’re headed.
