Beyond the Workout: Realizing and Celebrating Change

In today's episode, we delve into what happens after a GE Workout session. Once the plan has been approved by the Sponsor, our journey of transformation truly begins. We will explore the crucial steps that Change Champions and facilitators take to actualize their plans, measure success, and celebrate achievements.

After the exhilarating moment of plan approval, the team transitions into a phase of implementation. This is where the detailed action plans crafted during the Workout session spring to life. Change Champions, assigned specific roles and responsibilities, now initiate the tasks outlined in their plans. The key here is immediate action – starting small, gaining momentum, and gradually scaling up efforts. For instance, a team's first step might be to redesign workflow diagrams or set up a pilot project. The key here is to start with manageable tasks to build confidence and gain quick wins.

Workout facilitators play a vital role in ensuring the team stays on track. Best practices include regular check-ins, where facilitators help the team review progress, troubleshoot challenges, and make necessary adjustments to the plan. These check-ins are not just administrative; they're motivational touchpoints that remind the team of their goals and encourage continued effort. For instance, start with updates on progress, followed by discussions on challenges, and conclude with action items for the next period. Facilitators should be adept at recognizing when to offer guidance and when to step back and let the team navigate.

Measuring success is also pivotal in maintaining momentum and morale. Teams should establish clear metrics and milestones from the outset, aligning them with the organization's broader objectives. Regularly tracking these metrics allows the team to see their progress in real-time, fostering a sense of achievement and keeping everyone aligned with the end goal. Teams should set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. For instance, if the goal is to reduce citizen complaints, then tracking the number of complaints before and after implementing the change provides a clear measure of success. In the readings section of this podcast, I'm attaching our guide for measuring strategic impact, which I think you'll find helpful.

And everyone likes to be appreciated! Celebration is a vital component of the post-Workout phase. Recognizing milestones, no matter how small, boosts morale and reinforces the value of the team's efforts. These celebrations can be simple acknowledgments in team meetings, showcasing success stories in internal communications, or even small events to commemorate major achievements. Celebration is not just for the end goal; it's for the journey. Acknowledging milestones, such as completing the first phase of a project or achieving a specific target, keeps morale high. These moments of recognition validate the team's hard work and reinforce their commitment.

Another essential aspect of the post-Workout phase is maintaining momentum. Post-Workout, it's easy for initial enthusiasm to wane. Facilitators encourage ongoing engagement by setting new challenges and goals, ensuring the team's efforts are aligned with evolving organizational needs. Suppose a team successfully reduces email response time; the next step could be improving the quality of those responses. Continuous improvement becomes part of the team’s DNA, with each success and learning experience informing future initiatives. Facilitators should encourage reflection sessions where the team can discuss what worked, what didn’t, and how to apply these learnings to future projects.

Setbacks are also inevitable. It's important for facilitators to foster a culture where setbacks are seen as learning opportunities. A project might hit a snag due to unforeseen external factors. In such cases, it's crucial to reassess and adapt plans, maybe by reallocating resources or extending timelines. The GE Workout is more than a process; it's a mindset shift towards continuous improvement. Teams should be encouraged to view every task as an opportunity for learning and growth. For instance, even if a project didn't meet all its objectives, examining the reasons why can provide valuable insights for future initiatives.

The ultimate goal of the post-Workout phase is to integrate changes into the organization's fabric. This requires ongoing support and reinforcement. Facilitators can work with department heads to ensure new processes are adopted and maintained. For example, embedding a new reporting system into the daily routine of a department ensures the change is not just a one-off success but becomes a part of the regular workflow.

As we wrap up, remember that the true power of a GE Workout session lies in its aftermath – the realization of plans and the tangible impact on the organization. It's a journey of sustained effort, continuous improvement, and regular celebration. For Change Champions and facilitators, this post-Workout phase is not just about executing plans but about inspiring change and nurturing a culture of innovation and collaboration.