Leading people through change

Purpose – Reviews three papers that focus on the people side of organizational change, bringing together advice on how to manage change effectively. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments. Findings – There is no excuse not to know by now that change is part and parcel of today's business climate. Organizational change has provided the focal point for hundreds of business articles and theoretical studies, to the general consensus that to avoid change is to put a company at risk. Executives are thus increasingly well versed on the practical sides – market research, finance, processes, PR – of initiating a shift in direction. Yet still efforts to change are failing when they should not, more often than not because directors have overlooked how change will affect their most important asset: their people. Practical implications – Offers much advice for HR managers and executives involved in change initiatives. Suggests strategies that might be adopted in terms of pay, internal communications and training. Originality/value – Focuses on an area of change management that is too often looked – that of people. Offers straightforward and useful advice on managing this area of change without being weighed down in theory.