If you’re like me, you have difficulty remembering all the change management models. Kotter’s 8 Steps, McKinsey’s 7S, ADKAR… they all seem to serve us the same menu with slight variations. That’s why I really appreciate looking at different approaches that give us a new perspective on change. So I’m sharing my three favorite books with you and inviting you to make suggestions in the comments!
1- “Helping People Change – Coaching with Compassion for Lifelong Learning and Growth”
Written by Richard Boyatzis, Melvin Smith, and Ellen Van Oosten, three professors from Case Western Reserve University, this book has become my number one reference for preparing my coaching or mentoring sessions.
What I appreciate most about this book
- It is full of questions to prompt reflection on our own journey. These reflections help us identify the people who have most influenced us, whether positively or negatively, and how to learn from these events to be better coaches.
- It is filled with concrete examples and real-life cases in which we recognize colleagues, bosses, or even ourselves!
- It contains practical tools to help develop one’s personal vision and that of others.
- It names potential barriers to change at the individual level and provides tips for overcoming them.
- It is based on scientific research.
2- “How to Change – The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be”
Katy Milkman, a professor of behavioral sciences at the University of Pennsylvania, has worked with dozens of renowned organizations such as Google, Walmart, the Red Cross, and the U.S. Department of Defense. She brings us a humorous and scientific perspective on how to positively encourage individuals to change.
Strengths
- The author shares not only her successful projects but also those that failed. This transparency allows us to learn from a variety of situations.
- She presents the other side of gamification and gives us recommendations on when to use it and how to do it well.
- She teaches us the importance of “timing” in implementing change in a company, how to take advantage of it, and create our own wind of renewal when needed.
- She highlights the importance of trust in change management with striking examples. I invite you to learn about the story of George Dantzig, a famous mathematician from the 1940s. She demonstrates the incredible power of confidence!
- Finally, it’s an easy-to-read, well-written book that will serve you in both your professional and personal life.
3- “It Starts with One – Changing Individuals Changes Organizations”
Although it was written in 2008, this book remains just as relevant today and will be in the future. The authors, Dr. Black and Dr. Gregersen, both professors at INSEAD, introduce us to a simple, human approach that is easy to apply in business.
Key Lessons and “Aha!” Moments
- The authors explain why some companies do not see the need to change and how to avoid falling into the trap. I’ll let you read it for the “Aha!” moment; it’s worth it.
- It is filled with practical tools like tables, question lists, or graphs to help us see our situation from a different angle and properly plan our change management.
- By focusing on barriers to change, it allows us to identify potential issues from the start to better manage the transition.
- It teaches us how to be proactive in the face of change to avoid waiting until we are in a crisis situation.
- Finally, it is realistic. It applies to both small and large companies, emphasizes the human aspect, group dynamics, and recognizes the importance of managers in change management. It’s a simple approach based on common sense and doesn’t provide a twelve-step recipe that we might forget.
With that, I wish you happy reading and invite you to share your favorites in the comments.
