What Is Senior Management Commitment?

摘要

Almost all change management guidance emphasizes that without senior management commitment, true change is difficult or impossible. Yet little guidance is available that describes in detailed terms what actions senior managers must take to demonstrate such commitment. This paper draws on the author's experiences in change management (primarily in implementing capability models) to discuss what senior management commitment means in practice. Senior managers must understand and then act upon five principles. Senior managers establish a common vision of an improved organization, demonstrate their commitment by actions that are taken "in the heat of battle," engage other managers, provide resources, and actively address organizational incompetence. Examples are given of actions that demonstrate strong commitment and of actions that convey a different message. Change programs are most likely to succeed when the commitment is strong and clear.