I specialize in the design of change within organizations.
Some C level executives say, “we already do that”.
Some HR people I meet say ,“that’s what we do”.
Some PMO leaders say, “that’s our role”.
Some strategy/business development leaders say, “that is integrated into all of our processes”.
Some consultants say, “there’s no market for that”.
All stakeholders say, “if only we had that here…”
Despite expertise, energy and participation of all, most organizations are missing something. They have to be since I do this (there is a market) and each of those people above disagree with one or others. The “missing” is a glue of sorts that ties the organization together horizontally.
What’s needed is a way to facilitate change, either initiatives or operational, so that everyone feels in charge/control and goals are clear and shared (see above- we already do that- then why are consultants so busy?).
When gluing things together you often need an external influence (the clamp) before you can get a strong bind. That in our case is a consultant. The bind is the behavioral changes and structural pieces left in place after that consultant leaves. If the change entity is designed well it should be possible to add external influences at any time as the clamps to tie things together. The internal work is the assembly of the pieces and the creation of the idea for change.
I have to believe that the reason this does not happen is thanks to the first five bullets. Or maybe I just need to speak a little louder?