Navigating Politically Divided Organisations During Operations Transformations

Change is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it is an essential catalyst for growth and development. On the other, it can unearth deep-seated political divisions within an organisation, creating new obstacles to overcome. As an executive leading an operations transformation, how can you successfully navigate these choppy political waters?

1) Cultivate a Shared Vision

The cornerstone of any successful transformation is a shared vision. This is more than a lofty goal or a well-crafted mission statement. It's a cohesive understanding of the transformation's purpose and benefits, embraced by all stakeholders.

Articulate the reasons behind the transformation and the potential advantages it offers your organisation. Highlight how it can enhance long-term sustainability and provide a competitive edge. This shared vision can serve as a beacon of unity, helping to bridge the divides between various factions.

How many people in your organisation are aware of the vision, and are able to explain it to their teams simply and plainly?

2) Promoting Inclusion and Ownership

Inclusion is a powerful tool in combating political divisions. When stakeholders feel included in the transformation process, they are more likely to support it. This sense of ownership can ease tensions and foster collaboration.

Involve stakeholders at all levels in the transformation process. This could be through formal mechanisms like workshops and brainstorming sessions or more informal routes like casual conversations and suggestion boxes. The goal is to create a space where everyone feels their voice is heard and valued.

Perhaps, Phase 0 of a Transformation could be about bringing all the key stakeholders to the table to agree on what the objective of the Transformation is and how it supports each and every one.

3) Maintaining Transparent Communication

Transparent communication is the lifeblood of any operational transformation. It's particularly crucial in politically divided organisations, where mistrust and misinformation can fuel discord.

Keep all stakeholders informed about the transformation's progress, the challenges encountered, and the strategies used to overcome them. Ensure your communication is honest and timely. When people understand the reasoning behind decisions, they are more likely to accept them, even if they don't fully agree.

Do you have a communications plan in place that's leveraging the right channels to target the right audience? Who's responsible for the communications, and what KPIs have you got in place to ensure effective communication is regularly maintained?

4) Managing Expectations

Transformation is a complex and often messy process. Despite the best-laid plans, setbacks are inevitable. Being upfront about these potential hurdles can help manage expectations and prevent disillusionment.

Be realistic about what the transformation can achieve and the timeframe needed to see results. At the same time, reassure stakeholders that these challenges are part of the journey towards a better, stronger organization.

Move away from the hundreds of millions that can be delivered over years to a realistic bottom-line number that can be delivered in the current financial year. Get this done first, and then set the bar higher for the following financial year. There are PMOs out there administering hundreds of initiatives that are 'supposedly' delivering hundreds of millions in value - are they really?

Conclusion

Navigating a politically divided organisation during an operations transformation is no easy task. It requires diplomatic finesse, strategic planning, and an unwavering commitment to the end goal.

By fostering a shared vision, promoting inclusion and ownership, maintaining transparent communication, and managing expectations, you can steer your organisation through the political maelstrom toward a successful transformation.

Remember, transformation is more than just a change in operations. It's a change in mindset, culture, and attitude. And in this journey, the unity of your team is your greatest asset. Embrace the challenge, and you'll emerge stronger on the other side.