Challenging the Status Quo
Challenging the status quo and taking calculated risks is the best way to stay ahead of your competition. As a leader, you can either cultivate or deter this type of culture.

This isn’t about creating chaos through unmanaged change. It’s about methodically and intentionally challenging the status quo—embracing and accepting change to avoid becoming obsolete.

Setting Boundaries Around Change
The impact of a proposed change determines the level of governance required. You don’t need to be involved in every process improvement, but you do need to set boundaries.

Setting expectations—and communicating them often—tells your team it’s okay to challenge the status quo and shows them how to do it appropriately. Every organization needs a trusted way for employees to raise ideas, risks, and concerns.

Whether formal or informal, the critical element is that employees feel safe speaking up. If they feel their jobs are at risk, they’ll stay quiet. That’s dangerous for your business. Remember: “The emperor’s new clothes—who will tell the emperor he has no clothes on?” Don’t let this be you.

Building a Speak-Up Culture
Changing culture starts at the top. Begin by telling employees you value their opinions—then practice what you preach.

• Listen neutrally

• Don’t react or “kill the messenger”

• Never confide to others that you think someone’s idea is bad. Word will spread, and trust will be broken

Establishing Simple Boundaries
Set boundaries that make change manageable without creating chaos. For example:

• If a change impacts another team, communicate the change 1–2 weeks in advance

• If a change impacts multiple teams, communicate the change 4 weeks in advance

• If a change impacts customers, communicate the change several months in advance

The more people impacted by a change, the more rigor and planning are required. Change will always be disruptive, but when people are given notice, they can adapt instead of resist.

Final Thoughts
Taking calculated risks with change is how your organization can innovate, solve problems, and succeed.

Creating a culture that embraces change won’t be easy. If you find yourself trying to keep up and feeling overwhelmed, get help. Visit rkmanagementconsulting.com for ideas and methods to guide your organization from chaos to clarity.