How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Socializing

Disciplines > Change Management > Creating Change > Socializing

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Method

Seal changes by building them into the social structures.

Give social leaders prominent positions in the change. When they feel ownership for it, they will talk about it and sell it to others.

Create rituals, utilize artifacts and otherwise build it into the culture.

Example

An organization that is introducing new working practices gets the trade union engaged (after a long negotiation), including giving its officials a new and more prominent role. Before long, all dissent disappears.

Discussion

Society is almost invisible and people accept its rules without even noticing that they are doing so. A change that is socialized becomes normal and the 'way things are'.

When something becomes a social norm, people will be far more unlikely to oppose it as to do so is to oppose the group and its leaders.