Is Your Change a One-Hit-Wonder or a Lifelong Journey?

Remember those pop stars who disappear as quickly as they appeared? A lot of change initiatives are like that – big splash, then... silence. But what if, instead of one-time changes, we built organizations that are ready to evolve constantly? That's where Prosci and 5M start to seriously differ.

Prosci: The Long Game

Prosci sees change as cyclical. You've got your Unfreeze-Change-Refreeze. But the key is, that cycle doesn't just stop. It's about embedding the ability to change into the DNA of your organization. That means building a culture where:

• People are adaptable and resilient to constant shifts.

• Leaders embrace change as an opportunity, not a threat.

• Everyone has the skills to navigate transitions smoothly.

Yeah, it sounds idealistic. But think about it: if you're constantly having to "unfreeze" people for every little change, something's wrong. Prosci focuses on that long-term picture.

5M: Get It Done and Move On

5M is more about completing the task at hand. Its approach is well-suited for defined projects. Let's say you need to overhaul a specific process to improve efficiency. 5M helps you map it out, execute the changes, and measure the results. Success!

But what if the market shifts again in a year and that process is no longer optimal? With 5M, you might be starting from scratch. It's not always focused on that long-term adaptability.

The Reality Check

Obviously, not every change can be a sweeping cultural revolution. Sometimes you just gotta fix that busted workflow. But even then, injecting a bit of the Prosci change mindset can make things smoother. How?

• Celebrate even small wins to build confidence in change.

• Debrief after changes to learn for next time.

• Look for ways to build change skills (communication, problem-solving) into everyday work.

The True Change Master

The best leaders understand that change is the new normal. They know when to deploy a full-scale Prosci rollout and when a targeted 5M approach is just right. And they always keep an eye on that long-term goal of making their organization a change-ready powerhouse.

That wraps up our little philosophy deep-dive. Next, we're gonna get into the nitty-gritty tools these methods use!