From my own experiences creating change is very challenging. We as humans prefer comfort, and the idea of change counters this.

In the workplace, small changes can lead to big results by volume over time. If there was an initiative to reduce waste, disposable coffee cups, for example, daily consumption by several employees creates a lot of waste over the course of a year. This change can be implemented perhaps by challenging coworkers to bring their own mugs rather than rely on disposables. Creating urgency might be done by an email discussing the amount of waste generated by everyone, and a guiding coalition can be formed by onboarding a few people to take part. The rest of the steps will fall in line after a group of peers becomes comfortable with the change.

More challenging changes can be developed over time, but in my mind, the emphasis must be put on the back end of Kotter’s 8 steps. Empowering people to make change is difficult as people inherently avoid it, perhaps the best way to empower is by celebrating the little wins, and meeting short-term goals. In this way sustaining success becomes a little easier, and as people feel empowered, they will be driven to find continual success.

A big factor of change that occurred in Smithers, where I live, was the new Mayor installing bicycle racks all over town and running a program promoting biking to work in the summer. There were multiple events throughout the year celebrating biking to work, (Grace-Decosta, 2018) with families joining in for group rides regularly. There was a lot of push back from the conservative crowd, who traditionally were voted to the council, but this was overcome as new, younger, and more progressive people were voted in. Smithers is now a thriving little community with a very driven spirit of enjoying simple things.

Moving forward in my career after school, I’m not sure how I will apply this model to reducing climate change emissions. Someday I hope to purchase at least a hybrid vehicle, if not electric, as I live 15km from Smithers and must drive often. It is a personal goal, not so community-oriented, but Kotter’s 8 steps apply to promoting this change nonetheless as I do my research and set targets for the purchase.

Reference:

Grace-Decosta, M. (2018, June 3.) Bike to work week takes over boville square. The Interior News.

https://www.interior-news.com/community/bike-to-work-week-takes-over-bovill-square/

Kotter, J. The 8-step process for leading change. Kotterinc.com

https://www.kotterinc.com/8-step-process-for-leading-change/

The 8-Step Process for Leading Change