Whether your organization is trying to introduce new policies, change existing ones or keep pace with the ever-changing workplace environment, successful policy changes require transparency, early stakeholder engagement, tailored training and adaptability. Embracing these principles establishes an empowered workforce while fostering a culture of continuous policy improvement.
Changing policies is challenging because they usually grow out of people’s basic assumptions about the world and how it works. Nonetheless, you can make the process easier by anticipating challenges and planning accordingly. It also helps to focus on the positive aspects of your efforts. As the old adage goes, “You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”
A wide range of political science theories attempt to explain why policies change. These rely on several key explanatory variables, including institutions (processes and context); interests (actors and power); and ideas (content, evidence, values). More recently, scholars have focused on policy networks, which reflect the increasing permeability of the state into the realm of private actors.
It’s important to pick the right moment to work on policy change. Politicians are often more receptive to suggestions from their constituents in election years, for example, or when the status quo is clearly untenable. In some cases, the problem is so pressing that it’s necessary to act quickly. In other instances, you can wait until the time is right. For instance, you may want to wait until higher-order policies – such as state or university laws – preempt division, department, or unit policies.
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