Change is simple; just close your eyes, hold your breath, and wait. It happens.
Effective change management, on the other hand, takes some skill. From my view of the world, 3 things are necessary for senior executives to successfully drive positive change:
Change management isn't for the weak at heart, so strap in, point the way, and hold the course (I always wanted to use that line).
Point the way. With credibility.
If you don't have the credibility... well, I have some bad news. Your change efforts will not succeed.
You must insist.
Help them work through their issues, convince--as best as possible--for the need to change. At the end, though, the change must occur, and you must be prepared to make all those decisions necessary, some good, some tough, to make it happen.
Naysayers can be a fatal distraction. Disbelievers can poison an effective team. Misdirected managers can ruin the entire effort. Make sure you stay aware, and be prepared to do whatever is necessary to ensure the focus is maintained by all.
The enemy (market, economy, industry, whatever) is upon us; we have work to do, and some unique challenges facing us.
Time to charge that hill... and like the real generals of old, organizations charge best and most successful when their leaders are out front. So be brazen.
And remember that Grace and Accountability can coexist.
Thanks for listening