Notion Consulting, a leadership and transformation consultancy, today announced the results of their latest study, The Change Report 2022: A Study of Attitudes, Perceptions, and Impact of Workplace Change. One of the biggest post-pandemic learnings is that the C-suite is out of sync with the rest of their organization, tending to view change through rose-colored glasses. Meanwhile, employees and people managers are struggling for transparency, respect, and recognition.
"Our latest study reinforces what we tell all our clients: in order to drive successful transformation, leadership must understand that change is about people - their experiences, their behaviors, and their mindsets, said Christine Andrukonis, founder and senior partner at Notion Consulting. "Those who stay curious, open-minded, and empathetic will reap the benefits or otherwise risk disengaging and even losing key talent and customers, and ultimately damage their bottom line. It's a delicate but meaningful balance.
In August and September 2022, the company surveyed 325 U.S. professionals, ranging from C-suite executives to junior-level employees, about their experience with change in the workplace in 2022. Following are other key lessons from the study:
- It's tough leading people when change is constant. 75% of the workforce experienced three or more major changes in the past 12 months. While change is necessary and often exhilarating, a constant swirl can impact the employee experience for the short- and long-term.
- Attitudes vary dramatically based on where people sit. Most leadership (56%) is overwhelmingly optimistic about change, proclaiming themselves as "Enthusiasts and "Champions of their emotional commitment to it, whereas individual employees are more hesitant and skeptical, considering themselves only "Bystanders (4%) and "Skeptics (37%). Significantly, 3% of participants expressed a desire to leave their organization when hearing change is coming.
- Successful change needs more human connection and empathy. 60% of organizations are "mediocre or worse at retaining and engaging employees. Top talent is leaving these organizations during times of change, causing employees to disengage ("quiet quitting ). They are feeling unseen, under-valued, and unappreciated, which puts the business at risk.
- Managing change matters - and how it's done can impact results. 40% of organizations are failing to meet business objectives during times of change. Regarding the factors that make change management successful, 50% of organizations are "mediocre or worse at delivering best practices.
Prior to the pandemic, Notion Consulting interviewed 50 Fortune 500 executives and successful entrepreneurs about their business challenges in leading change. The proprietary study, Change 2020: How Successful Leaders Drive Change Now, has laid the groundwork for their efforts to create a community of practice and dialogue about leadership and change. On an ongoing basis, Notion Consulting surveys their network of HR leaders about how they are helping employees navigate the evolving workplace, and continues to lead roundtable discussions to address leadership issues during times of uncertainty.
