Chances are your employees have been through a lot since March 2020, both in the office and, most especially, at home. In fact a recent survey found that 42% of women and 35% of men reported feeling burned out often or almost always in 2021, compared to 32% of women and 28% of men last year.

Though the pace of change cannot be slowed, there are things you can do to make it easier to digest. As such, we sat down with change expert Andrea Abba Peterson, Senior Director: Strategy and Transformation & Organizational Change Management, Pepsico to get her advice for overcoming change fatigue. 

If you like what you read here, be sure to mark your calendar for Andrea’s presentation at the Hyperautomation Solution Showcase taking place at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, November 2nd. She’ll be joining us to discuss, “Realizing The Primary Catalyst For Digital Transformation.”

Establish and Communicate a Clear Vision For Change

As Andrea explains, “one of the ways you can address change fatigue is by having a clear vision and taking the time to ensure everyone is aligned to that vision. As long as they understand how it fits into the bigger picture, it won’t seem like change is happening in a haphazard, erratic way.” 

The more clued in your workforce is to your organization’s long-term strategic objectives, the more open they’ll be to accepting new ways of working and other changes. In addition, adopting a structured approach, where change is incremental and planned out, also makes a big difference.

READ NEXT: How to Cultivate Digital Transformation Mindsets

Leadership Buy-In

One of the most important ingredients to successful change management is C-level leadership buy-in. As Andrea puts it, “getting that top leadership alignment bought in is critical because, as you cascade that your message throughout the organization, there has to be a fundamental belief, alignment and agreement to the vision throughout the organization.”

In addition to helping you amplify your message of across the enterprise, having leadership buy-in is critical to ensuring you have the right resources, whether that be funding, staff or technology, to facilitate needed changes. 

Adaptability is a Muscle

Change takes practice. Though, in the beginning you may face resistance, over time and if the change is properly executed, trust will increase and people will become more open to change.

“They have to flex in terms of being agile and accepting the change and, and feeling like they're part of the change versus a victim,” Andrea explains. She adds, “so as a change practitioner, if you're involved in overall organizational change or transformation, getting these skillsets embedded within the organization is critically important because it makes your job easier. Secondly, it makes the whole process and the personal toll on people easier as well, because they understand the process and you go through the curve a little easier.”

Don't wait to automate! Register now to attend the Hyperautomation Solution Showcase taking place November 02 - 03, 2021.

Become an Intelligent Automation Network member today!

Premium content. Expert insight. Instant access. All for FREE.