I was at a conference recently, of change practitioner types, and the presenter polled the audience about who “owns” change management in their organization…

Communications, HR, IT, PMO, Strategy, OCEO, OCFO, OCIO, Enterprise Transformation Office…

It occurred to me how absurd this question would be in almost every organization I have been a part of, as both employee and consultant.

Most do not have a change management function.

Most do not even think about change management.

But if the question were…

“Who owns change in your organization?”

The answer would be clear.

Everyone.

Because change is everywhere, all around us, all the time, all at once.

Everyone has an ownership role for making change happen, in some way, to help things get better.

It can be at the process level, job level, and broader (team, department, function, business unit, enterprise).

Although most organizations don’t have a change management function at all, capabilities to lead change successfully are essential.

Leaders and aspiring leaders: take note and build your capabilities. You’ll need them.

Have a great week!