Managing Change in Regulators – The How and the Why

Written by Matt Larney, NRCoP Queensland Chapter Committee member.

On 20 October, NRCoP QLD Chapter hosted the national event – Managing Change in Regulators – The How and the Why. Around 40 regulators attended in person at Brisbane’s Old Town Hall and more than 200 participated in the online webinar. Building on the themes explored during the National conference break out session about successfully managing change in regulators, the event featured a panel discussion with three experienced   regulators well practiced in change management –

• Scott Hansen – Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and panel member from the national conference break out session
• Kelly Gleeson – Executive Director Regulation and Operational Support – Water Resource Management – Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers
• Brad Wirth – Executive Director, Industry, Development and Southeast Compliance – Environmental Services and Regulation, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

Scott opened proceedings with a brief recap of his excellent break out session commentary around the importance of communicating the why. The more compelling the why, the more buy in and ownership from teams there will be. This in turn leads to leaders naturally emerging from within to champion the change. Senior Management don’t always need to develop the perfect plan; if you articulate the why effectively, the plan will come from those leaders.  This also leads to an organic shift in leaders from driving change to enabling change.

Kelly spoke next around the psychology and neuroscience behind change management. With a statistics of over 70 percent of change management initiatives failing, senior leaders need to be exceptional at persuading people to buy into change.  Change fatigue is real and must be considered in the discussion. Reflecting Scott’s comments, change leadership occurs at all levels and if there is buy in for the change, change leaders emerge. People need to be bought along and supported on the change journey, with timing all important. By staggering the change into achievable pieces, it can be achieved.

Brad wrapped the opening remarks with introducing some practicalities around the how of change leadership. Once the why is known and communicated it is the how that must be concentrated on. Regulators can do this by leaning on their strengths. Regulators and investigators are problem solvers by nature so lean on this skill, have the team solve the problems and come up with solutions. Similarly, use the evidence to manage and lead the change. Make no assumptions and consult meaningfully with staff to learn the real issues and implement solutions. Also, celebrate the wins. Have measurable milestones and ensure these are celebrated.

After the opening remarks, there was a panel discussion with some questions outstanding from the national conference session. The panel discussed in-depth issues effecting change including regulatory capture.

After the discussion, the panel considered a series of questions from the floor which covered topics such as:

• The use of professional change managers.
• Change fatigue and constant change becoming psychologically unsafe for teams.
• Resourcing and budget effecting change processes and continuing BAU through change.
• Dealing with staff adverse to change and where change is resisted.
• How to bring your stakeholders with you on the change journey and whether they need to change themselves.

The Q and A session was well received with many strategies and solutions put forward by the panel.