Delivering Transformation Change Communications in Government

Agencia Change Evidence

Change is constant and the experience we have accumulated across some of the most challenging environments and complex organisations, tells us that government is leading the way with both complexity and through the acceleration of change programs and timelines.

2022	2018 -2020	2014 - 2017
NSW Police – Integrated Police Operating System	Public tertiary education (semi government) sector - Programs of work	Transport for NSW – Programs of work

Why Change Communications in Government is Challenging

The challenges faced right across the public sector can include multiple partner agencies, complex and multiple policies, cross-departmental priorities, external media and stakeholder scrutiny, and in some instances, tri-levels of government bodies (local, state and federal).

In addition, the changing landscape of hybrid work environments, technology innovations and new leadership means government must evolve quickly and easily, to meet the emerging challenges of change and the needs of its people.

Implementing change communications in a government setting can be complex and challenging. It requires effective strategies and successful implantation to ensure the transformation meets intention and goals.

In this blog post, Agencia Change will explore the importance of change communications and provide valuable insights for delivering effective change communication in government.

Understanding the Need for Change

Before diving into change communication strategies, it's crucial to establish a clear understanding of why change is necessary.

• Our tools and services help you to identify the problems or inefficiencies that need to be addressed and articulate the benefits of the proposed transformation.

• By communicating the need for change effectively (the “why”), Agencia Change can help you generate support and build a shared vision for your people, for the future.

Develop a Realistic Change Communication Plan

A well-designed change communication plan is essential for successful transformation in government.

The Grow Academy Government Pathway program will help you get set up for managing successful change communications in government.

Consider the following elements when developing your plan:

1. Stakeholder Analysis: Identify key stakeholders and understand their concerns, interests, and potential impacts. Tailor your communication messages to address their specific needs and motivations.

2. Clear and Consistent Messaging: Craft concise and compelling messages that clearly articulate the purpose of the change (the “why”), benefits, and expected outcomes of the proposed change. Use simple and plain-English language to ensure clarity and accessibility.

3. Multiple Communication Channels: Establish a variety of channels (omni-channels) to reach different stakeholders effectively. These can include online all-in meetings (town halls/all hands meetings), e-newsletters, intranet sites your internal social media channels, and one-on-one meetings. Each channel should serve a specific purpose and target audience.

4. Two-way Communication: Encourage open dialogue and provide opportunities for stakeholders to express their concerns, provide feedback, and ask questions. Actively listen and respond to their input to build trust and engagement.

5. Training and Support: Offer training, such as Agencia Change’s coaching and mentor programs for your people leaders. Managers are often overlooked during change, when they are tasked with the responsibility to deliver the change and manage the impacts across their teams. Provide up-to-date support resources to assist managers in adapting to the change. This will help alleviate anxiety and equip both managers and their teams with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the transformation successfully.

Leadership and Change Champions

Strong sponsorship to communicate the change direction must be established early, with clear understanding of role and responsibilities. Their role is to provide regular clear directives, with the mantra that “clear is kind” (Brené Brown). Without strong sponsorship, change will be difficult, cumbersome and runs the risk of being unsuccessful.

Leadership teams and change champions play a crucial role in change communications. Leaders should act as visible and stable advocates for the change, by demonstrating their commitment and setting an example for others to follow. Identify change champions at various levels within the organisation who can influence and inspire their people.

Addressing Resistance and Overcoming Challenges

Resistance to change is natural, and it's important to anticipate and address concerns head-on. At Agencia Change, we provide specific and tailored resistance plans, as quite often, some stakeholders need a little more care, support and training than others.

We have found that transparency about the change process is key, and we do this by acknowledging the potential challenges, providing regular updates on progress and celebrating small wins along the way.

It's important to keep people motivated and engaged and Agencia Change can help you do this by guiding you to take the necessary steps to communicate the road-map and to mitigate the risks.

Evaluation and Continuous Improvement

Throughout the stages of implementing change, evaluate the effectiveness of your change communication strategies. Don't wait until the end. Collect feedback from stakeholders and review the results to identify areas for continuous improvement.

This feedback will help you pivot during your change road-map, or to refine your communications approach and enhance future change initiatives.

Conclusion

Delivering change communications for transformation in government requires careful planning, effective messaging, and a commitment to engaging stakeholders throughout the process. By understanding the need for change (they "why"), developing a comprehensive communication plan, fostering strong leadership, addressing resistance, and evaluating your efforts, Agencia Change can help you pave the way for successful government transformation.

Remember, effective communication is the key to inspiring confidence, building trust, and driving positive change for your people, and right across the public sector.