Feeling like a target? Have you ever felt confused, overwhelmed, in conflict, anxious about your ability/competence, angry about what’s happening to you, or maybe you’ve just decided to keep your head down and let them get on with it?
These ‘target’ reactions come to many people at some point during organisational change.
In well managed change, two things (at least) need to be happening:
People need to understand and take responsibility for their target role
Those ordering up change need to be willing and able to listen to questions and concerns - and respond meaningfully from the perspective of somebody who perceives themselves to be a target.
We work across the organisation as needed to ensure that the realities of being in the target role are recognised, and that the right steps are taken to minimise negative impact. The steps created, and the way in which they are taken, will not be generic, catch-all interventions but activities specifically chosen by you for your particular situation. This enables all those impacted by change to play as constructive a role as possible, giving a more effective set of outcomes.
We have found that the Managed Change™ approach can be used to significantly increase understanding, engagement and change-capability in all parts of an organisation - those in sponsorship roles are frequently targets too. Coaching and half-day target sessions, backed up by our psychological expertise, are among the offerings we can make to ensure that those in the role of target receive appropriate, constructive and enabling support.
You may be a target of change, but you don't have to be a victim.
