In the first of a series of blogs, Alan Stevenson (Change Solutions Manager, Europe) explains the Electra approach to Change Management and what sets us apart. This edition focuses on the ‘Engage’ phase and explains why it is essential to the success of any project, large or small.
Technologies evolve rapidly, and organisations must adapt to remain productive. Keeping pace with change is challenging and can leave teams and leaders feeling overwhelmed. Confusion and resistance to new software or processes are natural, which is why Electra developed a three-stage Change Management methodology: Engage, Train, Sustain. This approach has driven many client successes and positive testimonials.
Change Management is All About People
Change Management is a disciplined approach that helps people adopt new ways of working so organisations realise the intended benefits of projects and transformations.
Research from Prosci shows that an effective people-side approach, active sponsorship, structured communications, and targeted training or coaching greatly increases the odds of meeting objectives.
In a similar theme, McKinsey surveys have repeatedly found that only about a third of transformations fully succeed, underscoring the need for a rigorous people-side approach alongside project execution.
Many transformations fail because urgency is insufficient, coalition building is weak, vision is under-communicated, or changes are not embedded in culture. A robust engagement strategy is foundational to preventing these common failure modes and to ensuring project adoption and sustainment.
The Purpose of Engagement
Engagement is about igniting and sustaining motivation to participate in change. Self-Determination Theory offers a practical lens: people internalise change when communications and leadership behaviours support autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Designing early engagement to address these needs reliably improves energy and persistence.
Put simply, engagement is motivation. The mission at this stage is to raise motivation by presenting a clear, compelling path to success.
What engagement looks like in practice:
- Start with ‘why’ and provide choice. Explain both organisational and personal value, surface trade-offs transparently, and where possible allow options for how teams adopt the change to support autonomy and trust.
- Acknowledge drawbacks. Openly addressing downsides increases credibility and can boost commitment.
- Make competence feel attainable. Map role-specific impacts early and provide quick start guides and micro-learning that move people from awareness to ability.
- Design pre-training motivation. Well-timed interventions before formal training improve transfer and on-the-job use.
- Build relatedness and peer support. Activate a champions network and encourage manager-led conversations to increase sustainment and behaviour change.
At Electra we prioritise clarity about the purpose of Change Management. We discuss communication and engagement plans with clients at the outset of every project. Establishing this foundational link between people and project removes barriers that typically hinder success.
Navigating Early Engagement Challenges
When engagement fails early, downstream consequences multiply: resistance grows, middle managers become strained, adoption stalls and benefits erode, creating initiative fatigue. Preventing these outcomes requires a tailored approach.
At Electra we build strong client relationships and collaborate closely to customise every step. We review the client’s historical context to learn what has worked and what hasn’t, and why. That insight helps us map an engagement journey that reduces unnecessary stress and confusion and aligns with the organisation’s culture.
Roadmap to Success
Practical, experience-based practices you can apply or adapt for upcoming initiatives:
• Mobilise active and visible executive sponsorship
• Apply a structured change management approach
• Engage front-line employees early and often
• Communicate frequently and openly
• Integrate change management with project management
• Dedicate change management resources
• Support and enable people managers
Working with Electra on your transformation gives your organisation the confidence to navigate change and achieve its objectives. We help make the journey smoother, more successful, and less stressful for your entire team.
Contact us at info@electralearning.com to find out how we can support you in your Change Management needs.