In today’s world, technology is everywhere—our TVs, phones, radios, even lightbulbs and heating systems. (Although, despite Gary’s persistence, we’ve managed to avoid smart lightbulbs in our house… for now!)
Employees of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds are generally familiar with technology. You’d be hard-pressed to find a colleague without at least a smartphone. So why is it often so difficult to implement technology effectively in the workplace?
The Challenge: Technology Alone Isn’t Enough
I remember digitising a waiting list that had previously been maintained on an Excel spreadsheet. It was never up to date, broke GDPR regulations, and could only be accessed by one person at a time—a nightmare for a team of 25 administrators!
It was a recurring gripe in our line management meetings, but as usual, these discussions often became a sounding board rather than a space for solutions. This time, however, there was a solution—an easy one—but implementing it in a team resistant to change was a real challenge.
Changing Mindsets Through Teamwork
So how did I get the team on board? Team-building—but not the usual kind.
Each team member was given an A3 sheet of paper and asked to write one kind word about each colleague. At first, there was reluctance, eye rolls, and even skepticism. But our old friend ego came into play—nobody wanted an empty sheet. Slowly, the team started writing kind words about each other.
What began as a reluctant task soon transformed the atmosphere. Smiles replaced eye rolls, and people even folded their A3 sheets into their bags to take home. I opened a window and let go of the negativity—literally.
From Resistance to Acceptance
With the team softened and in a more positive mindset, I could finally address the waiting list issue. Everyone had been complaining about it, but now they were open to change. The team was involved in every step of the solution, and the finale was a Teams meeting where we collectively deleted the spreadsheet from the hard drive!
The key lesson? The technology wasn’t the problem—the mindset was.
Key Takeaway
Digital transformation isn’t all about technology—it’s about people too. When you engage your team, their mindsets shift, and when the team is involved in change, technology becomes the tool, not the obstacle.
At Solvii, we combine technical expertise with leadership insight to help teams embrace digital change with confidence.
Ready to Lead Digital Change?
If you’re ready to implement digital transformation that actually works, get in touch with us today. Let’s make change simple and get your team smiling again!