John Kotter articulated his 8-step process model for leading change in his 1996 best seller, Leading Change. And, although there have been some changes in terminology, all of his team’s research since has continued to endorse the basic 8 steps. So, what is Kotter’s 8-Step Process for Leading Change.
This video is safe for viewing in the workplace.
This is learning, so, sit back and enjoy
Leading Change, Accelerate, and the 8-Step Change Process
Although I still refer to my original copy of Leading Change, I will use the more up-to-date labels for Kotter’s 8 steps, from his 2014 book, Accelerate.
These 8 steps are:
- Create a sense of urgency
- Build a guiding coalition
- Form a strategic vision and initiatives
These first three set up the basis for change
- Enlist a volunteer army
- Enable action by removing barriers
- Generate short-term wins
The second three create an empowered cadre
- Sustain acceleration
- Institute change
The last two steps make create change
Let’s look at them one at a time…
1: Create a sense of urgency
Ensure people recognize the need for change, to motivate them both to start to let go of the past, and to participate in the change to come.
Whilst fear of consequences is a powerful motivator, crafting an inspiring vision of the future is more sustainable.
2: Build a guiding coalition
This is a team that understands the need and is committed to leading the work to deliver the change. Ideally, this group needs to span every dimension of the organization – regionally, functionally, demographically, and hierarchically.
3: Form a strategic vision and initiatives
This step combines articulating what you want to achieve and the practical plan of how you can achieve the changes.
The guiding coalition (change leadership team) needs to be able to articulate this clearly and effectively.
4: Enlist a volunteer army
Now you need the numbers to share the load and make things happen. You need to craft a movement if your change is to stick.
This means communicating the vision, building momentum, and harnessing the enthusiasm as you create it.
5: Enable action by removing barriers
You need to lift every possible barrier of unnecessary procedure or policy, so people can work efficiently and effectively across the silos that could prevent progress.
This means giving real power to your guiding coalition. And it means them delegating their power to your enthusiastic volunteer army.
6: Generate short-term wins
Success motivates and it proves a point. Look for opportunities to succeed, and then make use of them through recognition, communication, and celebration. Do this from day one and do it often.
Quick wins, easy wins, small targets. But don’t over-focus on these to the extent that they sap all your team’s energy, leaving nothing for the big things.
7: Sustain acceleration
This means you need to pace yourself and your team. Build change into the culture, so you can sustain progress and remain resilient in the face of inevitable setbacks. Create changes in a sequence: ‘change after change’, not ‘change upon change’..
8: Institute change
Now you need to lock the changes into the culture, so they stick.
Recommended Videos
Carefully curated video recommendations for you:
- Why You Need Change Management in Your Project Manager’s Toolset | Video
- What is Change Management? | Video
- What is the Change Curve? | Video
Recommended articles
- Support Organizational Change: A Complete Guide to What You Need to Know
- What You Need to Know about How People Respond to Change
- Kurt Lewin’s Freeze Phases Model: How to use it to Guide Change
Managing and Leading Change
Change is an inevitable consequence of projects.
And, as a Project Manager, you’ll soon be called to lead it.
To do so, you’ll need practical tools and models…
A Practical Introduction to Change Management for Project Managers and Change Leaders.
Learn more about our premium course.
Two free videos from our Premium Course, ‘Managing and Leading Change’
🎬 Managing and Leading Change: A Practical Introduction
What Kit does a Project Manager Need?
I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list. I added my own.
Check out the Kit a Project Manager needs
Note that the links are affiliated.
Learn Still More
For more great Project Management videos, please subscribe to the OnlinePMCourses YouTube channel.
If you want basic Management Courses – free training hosted on YouTube, with 2 new management lessons a week, check out our sister channel, Management Courses.
For more of our Project Management videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.
For more of our videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.
What is John Kotter's 8-Step Change Process? | Video Share on X