How to Coach Yourself and Others Essential Knowledge For Coaching | Page 200

In the mid '90s, following disclosure that the New Era
Foundation was bankrupt, a number of colleges and universities
that had invested heavily in the fund found themselves without
the necessary cash flow to finance some short-term obligations.
These kinds of catalysts, either singularly or in tandem, can serve
as the genesis for change.
7 STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE
Now that we understand both the fear and physics of change,
let's take a look at seven strategies designed to help you
overcome resistance to change.
1--Clarify the change "event." First and foremost, always clarify
the change event. In other words, what's the itch? If you cannot
clarify the specific threat or opportunity in real, concrete a
terms, you can't advance. What's more, the change event must be
identifiable not only to senior administrators, but also to the
faculty and staff actually in the trenches.
2--Create a sense of urgency. Next, you must create a sense of
urgency. A college or university might suffer declining
enrollment for a number of years with little real concern.
However, showing that this decline will affect faculty salaries or
might cause a loss of accreditation is more likely to generate a
sense that something must be done. To create a sense of urgency,
key audiences must understand in real and concrete terms how
the change event will affect them. Either show them how their
lives will be diminished if the threat is not dealt with, or how
their lives will be improved if the opportunity is accommodated.
3--Develop a course of action. Once you have identified a threat
or opportunity, you must develop a course of action that is clear
and simple. If it is not dear, people won't understand how it will
deal with the issue. If it is not simple, people will get bogged
down. A simple decision to freeze tuition increases, for example,
is a lot easier to understand than a complex financial aid
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