What does it mean to be 'People Centric' vs 'Process Centric'? Transactional vs Relational Leadership
Traditional change leadership is transactional and goal-focused, while the Human Quotient approach is relational, fostering trust and collaboration to make users feel valued as partners in the change process.
Transactional leadership practices are a combination of some of the traditional change management practices we have discussed already and include communicational focus on deadlines and compliance, top-down articulation of program-mandated objectives and faceless, reactive support provision.
These may deliver compliance but rarely encourage true ‘buy-in’ to the program. Any compliance is likely, therefore, to be surface level only and change in personnel over time, along with other factors external to the program can more readily impact program perception and affect mid-to-longer term success.
Relational leadership begins with transparent and consistent communication that reassures users they are part of the change process, not just recipients of it. Leaders can hold open forums or town hall meetings to share updates and answer questions, creating a space where employees feel heard, and their concerns are validated.
Where dedicated operational support isn’t in place, a champion network can be empowered to provide peer support, share insights, and help resolve issues from within the team, creating a sense of community and shared purpose. Leaders should regularly check in with these champions, reinforcing their role and ensuring they feel appreciated and supported.
Recognizing and celebrating milestones further builds a relational foundation. Acknowledging user, department & program achievements reinforces a positive atmosphere and encourages continued engagement.
Leaders who actively demonstrate empathy, adaptability, and openness cultivate an environment where users feel like valued collaborators. This relational approach creates a sense of shared ownership over the change, making it easier for users to embrace and invest in the new system.
