Understanding the Change Curve: Insights from Dave Furst, VP of Managed Services
Change is inevitable, and managing it effectively is crucial to ensuring a smooth transition for organizations and their employees. In a recent interview with John Carruthers on the Mosaic Insiders Network, Dave Furst, Vice President of Managed Services, shared his expertise on navigating change and the pre-stages of change management.
The Change Curve: Beyond Logistics
The change curve is often compared to the stages of grief. When change is introduced, employees go through a range of emotions, initially resisting or feeling uneasy about the shift. According to Dave, change management isn’t just about training materials or project steps—it’s about understanding the mindset of those experiencing change.
“We often bolt on training at the end of a project without considering the human aspect of change,” Dave explains. He highlights that organizations can see smoother transitions when they focus on how their employees are experiencing the change, instead of just the logistics. “I’ve seen both simple changes fail due to poor change management and complex changes succeed because we did it well.”
The Importance of Listening and Avoiding Assumptions
One critical aspect of effective change management is understanding the perspectives of employees. “We often make assumptions about how people will react to changes, but have we actually spent time listening?” Dave poses. He encourages leaders to first understand their employees’ viewpoints before moving forward with any change.
John Carruthers adds to this by emphasizing the dangers of assumptions, which can lead to poor communication and resistance. He asks Dave how leaders, especially HR leaders, can break down these barriers and engage in meaningful conversations with employees who may not even recognize the need for change.
Dave suggests, “Start by identifying your ‘change influencers’ or ‘change champions.’ These are individuals within the organization who can influence others and help spread positive perspectives on the change. It’s crucial to actively listen to these influencers and involve them early in the process.”
Creating Change Champions
In larger organizations, leaders may not have the capacity to listen to every employee. This is where the concept of “change champions” comes into play. Dave recommends starting with leaders from different departments and interviewing them to identify the influencers within their teams.
“Go beyond just sending out surveys. Speak directly to these influencers to understand what’s going well, what’s not, and how they do their work. When leaders take the time to listen, employees feel heard, and this builds trust,” Dave says. He shares an anecdote about a utility company that implemented a new system without listening to its employees, leading to chaos and frustration—both internally and externally. This could have been avoided by simply engaging with the workforce beforehand.
Patience and Perspective: Keys to Change
When asked about the one key factor organizations should focus on when starting a change process, Dave points to two essential components: perspective and patience.
“Understanding perspective is critical. You may have one view of the change, but the people you’re leading through it may have a completely different one,” he explains. Dave uses an insightful analogy to illustrate the importance of perspective: “Imagine two people looking at the same number from opposite sides—one sees a six, and the other sees a nine. Both are right, but they’re seeing things from different viewpoints.”
Patience also plays a significant role in guiding people through the change curve. “People move through the change curve at different paces, and as leaders, we need to be patient and empathetic, understanding that a change in perspective is what will ultimately lead to a successful change in process.”
Building a Relationship Through Change
One of Dave’s core messages is that change management is about relationships. Leaders must work to ensure employees feel heard and valued, which builds trust and reduces resistance to change. “Positivity spreads just as quickly as negativity,” Dave says, adding that when employees feel like their voices are being heard, they are more likely to buy into the change, even if they don’t necessarily agree with every aspect of it.
Conclusion: The Human Element of Change
Change management isn’t just about new systems or processes—it’s about guiding people through a shift in perspective. By actively listening, engaging influencers, and exercising patience, organizations can navigate the complexities of change more effectively.
As Dave sums it up, “It’s not about who’s right or wrong—it’s about understanding the other side, coming together, and moving forward in a way that benefits everyone.”
