Whether it’s a new hybrid work policy or a company-wide code of conduct refresh, policy changes can disrupt long-established practices and behaviors. But how you approach the policy change process can make all the difference in your success.
Take the Pulse of the Community
The first step in successfully changing policies is understanding what people will support and what they will resist. This may mean starting where the community is now rather than pushing them to a point that is unfavorable to them. It also means focusing on positive goals, like infrastructure improvements, and avoiding negatives, such as the need for stricter enforcement of laws against fraud or theft.
Know the Current Policies Inside and Out
It’s critical to understand the current policies well – who makes them, who supports them, who is against them – before you can advocate for changes. This research can help you determine which policy changes will have the greatest impact and who the best targets are for your outreach.
Be Transparent
A key element in implementing successful policy changes is transparency, and that includes explaining why the policy is being changed. Providing context, like employee feedback or a growing need you’ve observed, can help ease pushback and convey that the change is for the good of everyone. It’s also important to stress the positive aspects of the change when possible, like suggesting incentives instead of punishments. For example, tax breaks for people who do the right thing can be a more effective way to motivate change than increasing taxes on those who break the rules.