Change is a constant in the modern workplace, and it’s essential for businesses to navigate these changes effectively to remain competitive and achieve their goals. Dr. Keera Godfrey, a transformation strategist and founder of Naris Communications, is at the forefront of helping organizations build change-resilient cultures. In a recent conversation with Dr. Godfrey, we delved into her expertise and the strategies she employs to ensure organizations successfully adapt to change in the 21st century workplace.
Understanding the Complexity of Change
Dr. Godfrey emphasizes the intricate nature of change in organizations, especially in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. Whether it’s implementing new technology, adopting digital transformations, or shifting to hybrid work models, change can impact various aspects of an organization, from job roles to processes and culture. Dr. Godfrey’s approach involves carefully examining all the interconnected elements within an organization, from the individual workflows to the entire ecosystem.
Bringing Structure and Calm
One of the critical aspects of Dr. Godfrey’s work is providing structure and organization during times of change. By helping organizations see the bigger picture while also focusing on the details, she and her team guide clients through the transition process to realize new growth opportunities. This structured approach brings a sense of calm to what can otherwise be a chaotic situation.
Addressing the Failure of Transformation Projects
Dr. Godfrey highlights the alarming statistic that 70-80% of transformation projects fail to meet their business objectives, often due to a lack of effective change management. This failure can result from poor communication, insufficient engagement, inadequate leadership involvement, and a lack of understanding among employees. Effective change management, as advocated by Dr. Godfrey, increases the chances of project success by up to 96%.
The Importance of People Engagement
One key principle in Dr. Godfrey’s approach is involving people in the processes that impact them directly. This includes engaging employees in dialogue, understanding their concerns, and considering their input. As she notes, “People want to feel change is happening with them rather than to them.” By making employees active participants in the change journey, organizations foster a sense of ownership and commitment.
Focus on Business Success
Dr. Godfrey emphasizes that her work is ultimately about helping organizations achieve lasting change and meet their business objectives. She sees her role as helping clients activate their strategies and align their cultures with their goals. This alignment is crucial for an organization’s growth and transformation.
The Naris 5E Agile Change Model
To guide her clients through the change process, Dr. Godfrey employs the Naris 5E Agile Change Model for Transformation. This model consists of five phases: Explore, Engage, Execute, Educate, and Embed. Each phase is carefully designed to address the human factor in change, ensuring a holistic approach to transformation.
Human-Centered Approach
Dr. Godfrey’s work revolves around a human-centered approach through emotional intelligence. As a certified EI coach, she emphasizes the importance of understanding people’s behaviors, mindsets, and experiences in the context of change, and how they are interlinked. Her team acts as experience designers, crafting tailored strategies to help individuals embrace change more effectively.
In a rapidly evolving business landscape, the ability to adapt to change is a critical factor in an organization’s success. Dr. Keera Godfrey and her team at Naris Communications bring a structured and human-centered approach to change management, helping organizations build change-resilient cultures.
By addressing the complexities of change, engaging employees, and aligning strategies with business goals, Dr. Godfrey’s strategies offer a path toward achieving lasting transformation in the 21st century workplace. The people-side of change, when managed effectively, can be the key to innovation, growth, and sustained business success.
