What do you do if your philanthropic colleagues resist change and reject innovation?

1 Understand the reasons

The first step to dealing with resistance to change and innovation is to understand the reasons behind it. Some common causes of resistance are fear of failure, loss of control, lack of trust, inertia, and comfort with the status quo. Try to empathize with your colleagues and see the situation from their perspective. Ask them open-ended questions and listen to their concerns and feedback. Acknowledge their emotions and validate their experiences. Find out what motivates them and what they value in their work.

2 Communicate the benefits

The next step is to communicate the benefits of change and innovation for your colleagues, your organization, and your beneficiaries. Explain how innovation can help you achieve your mission, vision, and goals more effectively and efficiently. Show them how innovation can create new opportunities, enhance your reputation, and increase your impact. Use stories, examples, and evidence to illustrate the positive outcomes of innovation. Avoid jargon, technical terms, and acronyms that might confuse or alienate your colleagues. Use simple, clear, and compelling language.

3 Involve them in the process

The third step is to involve your colleagues in the innovation process and make them feel part of the solution. Invite them to share their ideas, opinions, and insights. Encourage them to participate in brainstorming, prototyping, testing, and refining your innovations. Provide them with training, coaching, and mentoring to develop their skills and confidence. Recognize and reward their contributions and achievements. Create a safe and supportive environment where they can experiment, learn, and grow. Build trust and rapport among your team members and partners.

4 Manage the risks

The fourth step is to manage the risks associated with change and innovation. Anticipate and address the potential challenges, obstacles, and pitfalls that might arise. Prepare contingency plans and backup options. Monitor and evaluate your progress and results. Learn from your failures and successes. Adjust and adapt your strategies and tactics as needed. Be transparent and accountable for your actions and decisions. Share your learnings and best practices with your colleagues and stakeholders. Demonstrate your resilience and commitment.

5 Celebrate the wins

The final step is to celebrate the wins and acknowledge the efforts of your colleagues and partners. Celebrate not only the final outcomes, but also the milestones, learnings, and improvements along the way. Express your gratitude and appreciation for their support and collaboration. Showcase your achievements and impact to your donors, beneficiaries, and the public. Celebrate your failures as well, as they are opportunities to learn and grow. Foster a culture of recognition and celebration in your organization or network.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?