Sustaining momentum is about keeping the change effort alive by continuing to generate urgency,
pursue a vision, develop political support and manage the change transition. According to a
study by Tushman and Nadler (1986) there is a common theme among many companies that
were once highly successful and innovative - they actually get trapped by their own success. This
is especially true in small and family-owned firms (Beckhard and Dyer, 1983). Thus, it is
important for firms to focus on sustaining momentum for change.
Following a Lewinian force field analysis, Jansen (2004) proposed terms for two competing
forces during change: stasis- and change-based momentum. Stasis-based momentum describes
the force for maintaining (or reverting to) the status quo. Change-based momentum is the force
or energy for pursuing the change. Both forces exist within firms and during the change process.
Effective change management involves generating more energy for change than for maintaining
the status quo.
One of the most obvious ways to sustain change-based momentum in a change initiative is to
create milestones by achieving short-term wins. Kotter and Cohen (2002) state that short-term
wins are areas in which change has been successfully implemented. These “wins” encourage
people that change is actually happening and reminds them that it is possible. Frey (2002) has
employed small-scale pilot initiatives in working with small businesses. He points out that these
successful pilots prove the viability of the change and show that it can be transplanted into other
parts of the firm. More broadly, small wins and interim progress help keep energy alive after the
initial excitement of the project kickoff wears thin. Jansen (2004) found that employees reported
higher momentum (feeling energized) following key events and evidence of interim progress.
Another way to sustain momentum is to manage the social aspects of the change throughout the
process. For example, key individuals in the firm supportive of the change initiative can be used
as spokespeople and motivators during the change. Second, positive news about progress or
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change outcomes are best communicated in group settings, where interaction and enthusiasm can
be shared. Conversely, negative information should be communicated in a less social setting. It
is important to remember that even though excitement and enthusiasm can be quite contagious,
so too can fear, anger, and resentment. Thus, managing the social energy of change is fast
becoming a necessary tool for change leaders (Jansen, 2000).
Once short-term wins have been made and people have seen the results, the firm is able to
evaluate those results and, if necessary, make adjustments to the change plan (Hansson and
Klefsjo, 2003). This process helps to define the new firm as well as establish roots for the new
organizational culture that is developing. Throughout implementation, consistent support is
needed from the change leaders to not only successfully complete the change, but to also make
sure it has lasting power. The change process is not complete until all aspects of the change have
been fully incorporated into the firm. To avoid reverting to the status quo, leaders must make an
active effort to legitimate and incorporate elements of the change into existing processes,
procedures, and training.