How do you handle resistance or feedback from your staff or clients regarding your workflow management?

Take the time to understand where the resistance is coming from. Is it due to a lack of understanding, fear of change, or previous negative experiences with similar tools? Have one-on-one conversations with team members to hear their concerns directly. One time at a mid-sized marketing firm, where I was contracted as a Project Manager / Workflow Optimizer. I implemented a new project management software to streamline the team's workflow. However, within days of announcing the change, there were murmurs of discontent. Out of the murmurs, was the senior graphic designer, who was very vocal about her concerns.

La resistencia a la retroalimentación a menudo se debe a la falta de comprensión de su propósito o al miedo a las críticas. Para abordar esto, comience por asegurarse de que los objetivos y beneficios de la retroalimentación se comuniquen claramente. Explique cómo la retroalimentación es una herramienta para el desarrollo profesional y no un ataque personal. Es crucial establecer confianza y dejar claro que la intención es apoyar el crecimiento y mejorar el rendimiento, no socavar o menospreciar.

Arguably the first step to change is to be clear in your communication. As an entrepreneur when I implemented a new workflow requiring client payments to be made before each month of service instead of afterward, a tailored, well-thought-out message was the first step. This was then followed up with several other messages as the pending change approached. By the time the new workflow went into effect, the resistance and concerns were largely already mitigated.

To truly understand the source of feedback, active listening is essential. This involves paying full attention, asking clarifying questions, and reflecting back the speaker's sentiments to ensure understanding. Additionally, empathizing with the person's perspective can foster trust and open communication. By combining these approaches, you can gain valuable insights into the root causes of resistance or dissatisfaction, leading to more effective solutions.

As a seasoned leader in Business Intelligence, I can't stress enough the importance of listening and acknowledging feedback in workflow management. It's like coaching a sports team - you have to listen to your players to understand their concerns and boost their morale. Acknowledging their input not only shows respect but also opens the door for innovative solutions. Remember, a happy team is a productive team! 🏆💡😊

Whenever you receive feedback or resistance, acknowledging those feelings immediately validates them for the person being vulnerable enough to share them. This helps reduce the likelihood of them becoming defensive. It gives you the chance to witness them and their experience. This small first step will help make the change or adjustments easier to navigate for all parties. You also want to encourage dissent. You want to work in an environment where it is socially safe to dissent at appropriate stages of change. This means they can share their thoughts openly if they professionally disagree without being socially ostracized. This is the how teams can grow and be high functioning. You don't want to shut down all feedback or disagreements.

Transparent communication is essential. Explain the "why" behind the change, provide a clear implementation plan, and offer support throughout the transition. Make sure everyone understands the benefits and how it will improve their work life. In continuation of my story, I scheduled a team meeting to discuss the new software. During the meeting, the Senior graphic designer aired her worries; she was worried that the new software would add more administrative tasks to her already full plate. I had to clearly explain the reasons for the change and the benefits it would bring. Then went ahead to share a timeline for the transition and reassured the team that there would be training sessions to help everyone get up to speed. .

La creación de un entorno en el que la retroalimentación sea bienvenida requiere establecer una cultura de apertura y respeto mutuo. Anime a los miembros del equipo a compartir sus pensamientos y preocupaciones abiertamente sin temor a represalias. Esto se puede lograr liderando con el ejemplo, mostrando vulnerabilidad y siendo receptivo a la retroalimentación. Cuando los miembros del equipo ven que los líderes aceptan la retroalimentación, es más probable que sigan su ejemplo.

La resistencia también puede ser una señal de que los miembros del equipo no se sienten apoyados. Asegúrate de que no solo estás proporcionando críticas, sino que también ofreces las herramientas y los recursos necesarios para mejorar. Esto podría incluir capacitación, tutoría o incluso planes de acción simples. Cuando los miembros del equipo se sienten apoyados, es más probable que vean los comentarios como una oportunidad positiva de crecimiento.

La retroalimentación no debe ser un evento único, sino un diálogo continuo. Los controles y seguimientos regulares pueden ayudar a garantizar que los comentarios se procesen y se actúe en consecuencia. Esta conversación continua mantiene abiertas las líneas de comunicación y refuerza la importancia de la retroalimentación dentro de la cultura del equipo. También brinda oportunidades para el reconocimiento y el elogio cuando se realizan mejoras, lo que incentiva aún más el cambio positivo.

Involving staff or clients in the process of refining the workflow is key to fostering buy-in and reducing resistance. I encourage them to participate in brainstorming sessions, provide input on potential solutions, and collaborate on pilot projects to test new ideas. This collaborative approach not only empowers them but also leverages their unique insights to enhance the workflow.

From an entrepreneur perspective, once you implement your workflows, you should be monitoring that they are working well. It isn't something you set then never look at again. You want to ensure automation are triggering and nothing is stuck, especially in the beginning. You can also adjust them each time you use them with a lead or client so that every time it is the slightest bit more efficient until it feels truly aligned with your goals.

Create a culture where FEEDBACK is welcomed and valued. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions allow you to identify and address issues early. Be open to making necessary adjustments to the workflow based on the feedback received. This shows your team that their opinions matter and that you are committed to making the transition smooth for everyone.

After collaboratively developing a refined workflow, the next step is to implement the changes and closely monitor their impact. I establish clear metrics and milestones to track progress, ensuring that the adjustments are yielding the desired outcomes. Regular check-ins and feedback loops are integral to this phase, allowing us to make timely adjustments and maintain momentum.

1. Embrace feedback openly: Encourage staff and clients to share thoughts on workflows. 2. Communicate benefits clearly: Explain how changes enhance efficiency and reduce frustration. 3. Foster collaboration: Involve stakeholders in the process to build support. 4. Document processes: Define workflows clearly to avoid confusion. 5. Continuous improvement: Regularly review and adjust workflows based on feedback for optimal results.

One last but important thing is to Highlight Successes, Celebrate Wins and Wear a Garment of Patience. Regularly share the positive outcomes of the new workflow. Celebrate both small and significant achievements to reinforce the benefits of the change. Recognizing the hard work and adaptability of your team helps build a positive attitude toward FUTURE CHANGES. Also remember, CHANGE IS A JOURNEY. With patience and empathy, you can guide your team through it and come out stronger on the other side.

Workflow changes can feel jarring, especially when they come out of the blue. That's why proactive communication and building trust are your secret weapons against resistance. Here's how to put this strategy into action: 1️⃣ Start laying the groundwork early. Be collaborative throughout the process. Discuss the potential changes and explain the factors that necessitate change. 2️⃣ Cultivate strong relationships. Regular communication builds trust. Keep the client informed about progress, promptly address concerns, and be open to feedback. 3️⃣ Identify champions within the client's team. These individuals can act as trusted sounding boards and help build buy-in from others.

El ser humano es un animal de costumbres y prueba de ello es su resistencia al cambio. Cuando tratamos de modificar hábitos, tradiciones o rutinas las personas experimentamos rechazo y negación antes de aceptar lo que nos viene. No evaluamos el cambio desde un punto de vista onírico, simplemente desconfiamos de la novedad porque no la manejamos ni somos dueños de ella. Cierto es que todas las personas no experimentan el mismo grado de resistencia al cambio y que mientras unos lo abrazan y prosperan con él, otros lo rechazan y no lo aceptan.

It’s important to foster a culture of transparency and continuous feedback. Encouraging open communication and regular feedback sessions helps preempt resistance and address concerns before they escalate. Investing in training and development for staff ensures they have the skills and knowledge needed to adapt to new workflows. Finally, celebrating successes and acknowledging contributions helps reinforce positive changes and motivates the team to embrace continuous improvement. By approaching resistance and feedback with a structured and empathetic mindset, we can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation, ultimately enhancing our workflow management and achieving better outcomes for all stakeholders.

Resistance often signals hidden insights! 🕵️♂️ Consider digging deeper—ask open questions to uncover roadblocks and potential improvements. Use feedback as fuel for growth and keep an open door for ongoing suggestions. The best workflows aren’t built in a day; they’re refined over time with each new perspective. 🌱 So, embrace the feedback loop—it’s the secret sauce to a resilient and adaptable processes. 💪🔄