Don't forget your change champions

In any change initiative, we know how important our change champions are. They establish and maintain that critical link between the business and your project to support the change and implementation activity.

As so many of us are still working and teaming remotely, we need to think differently about how to keep our valuable advocates engaged and motivated about the change.

Here’s a couple of ideas:

- Run a virtual lean coffee to discuss what’s top of mind for them in a safe forum.

- Create a dedicated champion group on your Enterprise Social Network. Make sure you keep on eye on it to respond quickly and to keep it active.

- Encourage them to collaborate with each other as peers, across business units. This establishes connections and networks that continue beyond the life-cycle of the change initiative.

- Send them a surprise in the mail to thank them. One thing I’ve done in the past is create a Change Champion Survival Pack

Getting creative with your survival pack gift

Contents may include:

- An ERASER to make all those little challenges go away

- A MARBLE for the day you’re sure you ‘ve lost yours

- A RUBBER BAND to help you stretch beyond your limits

- A PAPER CLIP to hold it all together when everything seems to be failing apart

- GUM to help you make change stick

- A PIECE OF STRING for when stakeholders ask questions you cannot answer

- A BOUNCING BALL so you can be nimble and bounce around and back

- A BAND AID for when things get a little painful

These memorable gifts are easy to compile and you can add anything that creates meaning to the role they play. I’ve also created this same kit for change practitioners. Get creative and see what you come up with!

How are you reaching out to your champions to keep them connected and motivated?