Guest Blogger Jeanenne LaMarsh: The Leader as the Sponsor of Change

The job of leadership in an organization is to ensure that organization’s continued success.  That success can only happen with growth. And growth cannot happen without change. Leaders play a key role in change in two ways; making the right decisions about what changes to make and doing their part to ensure the changes are successful.  MBA programs prepare leaders to recognize the changes that need to be made; how to know what is the best growth strategy to improve the product line or service offering, what needs to be done to reduce inventory, improve the marketing campaign, and build a stronger operation. But leaders also have to have an understanding of the importance of their role in getting people to embrace those changes.  Leaders must have the skill and courage to make the right decisions for the future of their organization. Then they must have the skill and the will to play the vital and unique role of a leader committed to making sure the change happens…to be a sponsor of change.  That role cannot be delegated. It is vital to the success of change.  

We at LaMarsh & Associates know that one of the key ways in which leaders ensure successful change is by helping their people to embrace the proposed change with energy and enthusiasm and that any issues or concerns they have with the change are addressed. The leader’s role in making that happen is to provide people with the information they need to reduce their concerns and anxiety and help them to make an informed and thoughtful choice to change. Therefore, communication is key to successful change and one of the most important part of the leader’s role in that change. Knowing what messages to send to alleviate resistance to change is a key part of change management. Knowing how to deliver those messages is key part of an effective communication strategy.

Jeanenne LaMarsh works in a consultative capacity with organizations committed to effective organizational change. She is internationally recognized as an expert in helping companies to implement successful change. Jeanenne works with senior management, key change agents, and people who need to change; helping them to understand change and build effective change management strategies.  Jeanenne founded LaMarsh & Associates in 1979 as a firm that addresses the human factors that support successful change. While serving as both a consultant and teacher of the Managed Change™ model to LaMarsh & Associates clients, Jeanenne has certified over 700 Masters of Managed Change™ throughout the world: people in LaMarsh & Associate' clients who can teach and consult as an extension of LaMarsh & Associates and as an internal resource to their organizations. Jeanenne's most recent book is Maximize Success, co-authored with Rebecca Potts.  To date it has been translated into seven languages around the world.