This presentation reviews ways to implement change effectively within a Public Works Organization.

1. Embracing and Executing
Change
Charles R. (Chas) Jordan
M.P.A., P.W.E., F.M.P., S.T.P,
ENV SP, LEED GA
President
Radiant Training & Consulting, LLC
Florida Public Works Institute
APWA Florida Chapter

2. Socrates:

The secret of change is to focus all of
your energy, not on fighting the OLD, but
on building the NEW

4. Why do we resist Change?

Fear of the unknown

Wants to do good, don't want to learn new

Mandates without explanation or concern
(perception is perceived as negative)

Fear of irrelevance

5. Why does change occur?
What happens?

To Progress

To keep moving

To help people

Make jobs easier

Because other things change, making
something change

Example: Fuel Charge Increase

6. Why is Change Important?
• Change is necessary to move
• Think of the changes in the last 50
years
• Health
• Technology
• Transportation
• Safety
• Yet, change feels so uncomfortable...

7. John P. Kotter
Harvard Business School
Press, 1996
Leading Change

8. Effective Change Leadership

Make it Urgent

Set Leadership

Develop a Vision and Strategy

Communicate the Vision

Empower Staff

Generate Short-Term Wins

Take Gains and Make More

Make the Change - Culture

9. Effective steps to making a
change:

Why is the change so important?

Is there a dedicated group supporting the change?

What will be better/different when we get there?

Talk about it!

Let others help and be involved

Celebrate easy wins

Celebrate major milestones

Embrace the new results

10. How to make it happen

We need to do this now because…

Set the Team

Present the Future

This is where you work, this is the vision

Do what is right

Celebrate

Keep up the momentum

Reward and recognize change agents

12. Get on the Bus! Have you
ever seen someone...

On the bus

Driving the bus

Wants to be on the bus, but can’t find
the door

Appears to be on the bus, but putting
sugar in the gas tank

Sits near the door of the bus for hasty
exit

Slicing tires

13. Know anybody on the Short
Bus?

Doesn't know what they are doing or
why they are there

Is just along for the ride

Not aware of the buses around them all
moving in different directions

Could get in a crash

14. Know anybody on the Wrong
Bus?

Victim of the popular thought

Doesnt understand or know the vision

Has a different agenda

Needs to find a new School District?

15. What is a change that is
happening in your
workplace that makes you
feel angry and/or afraid.

16. What is a change that
needs to happen in your
workplace.
How do you think you can
make it happen

17. Implementing the Change

Make a Plan
− Clearly state the change and the steps
toward it

Have town halls or staff charettes to
discuss the impacts and advantages

Support your staff & support the
change
− Allocate resources

18. Feedback and Communication

Meetings and Sit Downs

Email Communications

Talk one on one with employees

Airing of grievances and brainstorms

Document and Communicate Progress
− Send out emails at major milestones
− Recognize folks for effective work
− Communicate out your great work

19. Chinese Proverb...

20. Questions / Comments?