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Our recent article, 4 types of peope who affect change, describes the types of people who help or hinder change intiatives. If you are leading change, you must know who is working with you and who is working against you.
Missionaries.
These people will drive through change for you. You must pay them lots of attention, involve them in the thinking as early as you can, and reward them with recognition often. These will be the people the vast majority, the followers, will look up to.
Followers.
Keep them informed, appreciate their efforts and highlight the role models in their area (the missionaries). The followers will be the target of the next 2 categories and you must ensure they stay true to the cause.
Cynical Blockers.
These are disillusioned folk. They will actively work against change and bad mouth progress. They want people to be on their side, against management.
Deal with them by isolating them and challenging their beliefs. Make it clear that their approach is not welcome.
Problem Children.
These can be corrosive. Often they are looking for a safe and easy life and will do all they can to preserve an easy life. Make sure they do not have an audience by engaging with the missionaries and the followers. When they do not have an audience, they stop being effective. Address their performance and where you can ensure they exit the company. It is better that they work for your competitors.
Missionaries.
These people will drive through change for you. You must pay them lots of attention, involve them in the thinking as early as you can, and reward them with recognition often. These will be the people the vast majority, the followers, will look up to.
Followers.
Keep them informed, appreciate their efforts and highlight the role models in their area (the missionaries). The followers will be the target of the next 2 categories and you must ensure they stay true to the cause.
Cynical Blockers.
These are disillusioned folk. They will actively work against change and bad mouth progress. They want people to be on their side, against management.
Deal with them by isolating them and challenging their beliefs. Make it clear that their approach is not welcome.
Problem Children.
These can be corrosive. Often they are looking for a safe and easy life and will do all they can to preserve an easy life. Make sure they do not have an audience by engaging with the missionaries and the followers. When they do not have an audience, they stop being effective. Address their performance and where you can ensure they exit the company. It is better that they work for your competitors.