Resistance to Change in Nonprofit Technology: 6 Tips for Leadership Success

Transitioning to a new technology platform can be a daunting task for any organization, but for nonprofits, it can feel especially disruptive. Many staff members, particularly those accustomed to established systems, may show resistance to change. This hesitation can slow down the adoption process and hinder the full potential of the new system. As a leader, it’s crucial to understand these challenges and develop strategies to navigate them. Think of yourself as the Director of a play: It’s your job to provide the vision, resources, and support for the cast and crew.

Here are 6 tips to ensure a smooth rehearsal process and have a long, successful, run of show:

Provide a Strong Vision

As a leader and director of this performance, it’s important to be clear with your team about the ultimate goal of the project. New scenes – er, technology systems – take time to learn, and there will likely be initial frustrations with unfamiliar processes. Emphasize the long-term benefits and reasoning behind the change (increased efficiency, improved data management, streamlined workflows, etc.). Engage with the team about how these improvements will ultimately help the whole org better serve your mission. Providing a strong vision helps everyone find their personal motivation for each action the director requires.

Create a Community of Change

Recognize that some team members may be uncomfortable embracing the new system. At the beginning of every rehearsal process most cast members have some level of fear about whether their skill level is enough to do the character justice. Even when they are willing to go along with the decision, there is still fear of the unknown. According to Harvard Business Review, even well-planned changes can trigger a predictable emotional cycle of resistance. While actors knowingly choose to go into an uncomfortable process, your staff didn’t know it was coming…until they did.

A good director knows that openly acknowledging concerns demonstrates empathy and creates a sense of community among the group. Knowing they have a transparent & honest leader inspires the confidence to take risks, fail, learn, and grow.

Identify “Change Champions”

In a musical, every choreographer quickly assesses their cast to find dancers who are excited to learn the choreography and have the skill to help others. They become the “dance captains.”

Not everyone will adopt new technology at the same pace. Look for individuals who are enthusiastic about the new system and encourage them to become your “change champions.” These champions can provide peer support and guidance to their colleagues during the implementation.

Conversely, a good director looks for where their skill gaps are. If dialects are required, they might hire a coach to help the cast learn how to say their lines appropriately. You should assess the training needs of your staff and plan to address them (your implementation partner can be a big help throughout this journey!). Have your “change champions” train up first so they are prepared to help those with bigger skill gaps get up to speed.

Testing & Communication Build Confidence

Once rehearsals are underway, the cast is learning their lines and starting to get a deeper understanding of how their role fits into the vision. This is where testing and taking risks comes in. In a safe environment, trying a new inflection, or different motivation for a line can make all the difference in how the scene flows. This provides the director with direct feedback as to what will work and what won’t.

Testing your technology in a sandbox or unpublished mode gives staff a safe opportunity to get comfortable with their new skills. They can do the things they have always done on a regular basis and see how it works without causing problems after launch. Thorough testing saves time and money while your staff builds confidence in their skills.

Encourage open communication and actively address any concerns or roadblocks that arise to reduce resistance to change in this crucial part of the process. Make your expectations clear, so staff know you understand that some processes will be slower — they are still rehearsing! Meet with your implementation partner when staff bring up missing processes or important functions you used to have. Maybe something needs to change in the system or there’s a new approach to learn because it works differently. Don’t forget to communicate any resolutions completed and allow staff to try testing again.

Celebrate! Celebrate! Celebrate!

Tech week for a show is like the week (or several) leading up to the launch. It doesn’t seem like it will all come together, but magically (save a few minor fixes or additions that need to be made) you now have a working system that is live. Almost everyone came into the project not knowing what was going to happen, but everyone did their part. It’s time to celebrate! Opening night flowers and going out after the show are very common in the acting world. Find a way to celebrate all those involved. Whether that be a cake or a few hours off on Friday. It’s important to find a way to congratulate yourselves for achieving the goal.

Don’t forget to celebrate along the way too. There are milestones, fixes, data gathering assignments, testing project completions and many other little successes along the way. Celebrate them in some way, even if it’s just a thank you note or round of applause. Celebrations remind everyone progress is being made…even though it doesn’t always feel that way.

Provide Ongoing Support and Resources

While the director often turns the show over to the cast on opening night, they are still around to provide support and foster communication with the crew.

There are generally many resources available once a technology tool has launched. Direct your staff to their “change champions,” implementation partner office hours, dedicated help desks, or peer-to-peer forums. Here are some specific tips for boosting CRM adoption after the implementation. By continuing to foster the community environment, you can ensure a smoother adoption process and maximize the return on investment for your new technology.

By following these tips, you can effectively navigate resistance to change and lead your nonprofit organization towards a successful technology transition. Remember, a director’s preparation and open communication go a long way in ensuring a smooth and successful run of the show just as you can ensure smooth and successful adoption of new technology within your team. Of course, we support nonprofits leaders throughout the journey and provide ongoing support after launch to minimize resistance to change. Send an email to support or contact us for more information.