Lever

1. Walk the talk

2. Get consultant's support

3. Get CEO's public support

4. Conduct private interviews

5. Issue e-mail notice

6. Hold town hall meetings

7. Provide internal skill-building

8. Provide external skill-building

9. Conduct pilot project

10. Post progress reports

11. Tell a 'success' story

12. Clarify organizational values

13. Build a coalition of support

14. Recognize an adopter

15. Privately confront resister

16. Announce goals & deadlines

17. Revise reward system

18. Restructure organization

Description
When the change agent's actions are aligned with the change initiative, trust is built
and effective change is much more likely. If properly executed, pulling this lever can
increase the change agent's credibility as well as positively influence coworkers.
Sometimes outside experts can gain the attention of organizational members and
jolt them out of their complacency better than internal authorities can. If properly
executed, pulling this lever can increase the change agent's credibility as well as
positively influence change targets in the awareness state.
When the change agent lacks formal authority, getting public support from the CEO
is essential. If properly executed, pulling this lever can increase change agent
credibility as well as positively influence change targets in the awareness state.
Private conversations can reveal important information about the change target,
such as who is in their social network and how the target feels about the proposed
change initiative. If properly executed, pulling this lever can positively influence
four individuals in a relatively short period of time to adopt the sustainability
initiative.
Organization-wide e-mail messages help convey the change vision and indicate
progress. If properly executed, pulling this lever can positively influence employees
in the awareness state.
Town hall meetings can communicate the change vision and provide an opportunity
for two-way dialogue about it. Attendance at these meetings is usually voluntary. If
properly executed, pulling this lever can positively influence employees in the
awareness and interest states.
Some associates want to adopt a change but they do not know how. By providing inhouse training, you expand a trainee's capacity to adopt the change. If properly
executed, pulling this lever can positively influence three individuals to adopt the
sustainability initiative.
External training can also expand a trainee's capacity to adopt the change. If
properly executed, pulling this lever can positively influence three individuals to
adopt the sustainability initiative.
Pilot projects are fast and relatively inexpensive ways of learning by doing. If
properly executed, pulling this lever can positively influence an entire department
to adopt the sustainability initiative.
Posting progress reports is a common means of using visible cultural artifacts and
symbols to redirect invisible cultural norms. If properly executed, pulling this lever
can positively influence adoption of the initiative by those in the interest state.
Organizational storytelling is a relatively slow but effective way to challenge and
redirect the norms and values of the organizational culture. If properly executed,
pulling this lever can positively influence the two listeners as well as their friends to
adopt the initiative.

Organizational values are often unconscious guides to organizational behavior. By

making these values more explicit, better alignment can be created. If properly
executed, pulling this lever can directly influence task force members and indirectly
influence everyone else.
Negotiations to create political alliances can be crucial for obtaining commitment to
a change initiative. If properly executed, pulling this lever can positively influence
adoption of the sustainability initiative by the three coalition members as well as his
or her friends.
Political power accrues to those who are formally recognized within organizations,
and recognizing an advocate sends a signal to others as to where the power is
flowing. If properly executed, pulling this lever can positively influence adoption of
the initiative by the advocate's friends and coworkers.
Resistance to change is to be expected in all change initiatives, but sometimes the
resistance is irrational and politically corrosive. If properly executed with an actual
resister, pulling this lever can positively influence adoption of the initiative by the
resister and his or her friends.
Organizational goals and deadlines provide targets to aim for. Organizational
attention and focus are precious resources. If properly executed, pulling this lever
can positively influence adoption of the sustainability initiative throughout the
organization.
A reward system is a formal control system for recognizing and motivating desired
behaviors while discouraging unwanted ones. If properly executed, pulling this lever
can positively influence adoption of the initiative throughout the organization.
Organizational structure refers to the formal lines of communication and authority
within an organization. If properly executed, pulling this lever can improve
information flow and reallocate authority so that support is built for the
sustainability initiative throughout the organization.

Scope of impact

Awareness>Interest>Trial>
Adoption

Weeks to
implement

Entire organization

Entire organization

Entire organization

4 people

Entire organization

Entire organization

3 people

3 people

3 people

Entire organization

3 people

Entire organization

3 people

1 person

1 person

Entire organization

Entire organization

12

Entire organization

16

Additional weeks
before re-use

10

12

20

10

10

20

not available