What can change management learn from psychotherapy?

Imagine if your therapist called themselves a ‘Change Manager’, and you brought them in to manage the change you wanted in your life.

You’d describe your desired ‘to-be’ state, and they’d design a change plan with a roadmap to get you there.

How would that feel? Would it help? Would the change stick?

Disempowered. No. Doubtful.

I don’t know about you, but I want a therapist who trusts that only I have the answers – and supports me in finding them, in my own time. That’s what makes change sustainable, even after the therapy ends.

And it’s not easy. It’s challenging. It’s painful.

Because change is hard, leaders have traditionally brought in Change Managers to ‘do’ change for them, while employees focus on their day jobs.

But things are shifting. Smart leaders now recognise that real change comes from facilitating their people to find solutions.

It might take longer, but it means that people feel heard, supported, and empowered – and the change actually sticks.