How does this benefit you and those impacted by the change?
Having senior leaders who are prepared to champion and support the change, and helping them lead through example equip you to:
- Build confidence by showing employees the change has full leadership backing;
- Keep the message clear so everyone hears the same thing from the top down;
- Encourage openness and make it easier for employees to get on board;
- Reinforce the organization’s mission and core values (e.g. innovation and adaptability).
Simple practices for change sponsorship:
- Find them fast. Quickly scan the org chart and work with your manager to identify two-three influential leaders from the most affected areas, who are known for getting behind change.
- Activate the allies. Reach out to trusted supporters and influencers right away. Let them know you need their voice and example to spread the message.
- Equip to empower. Give sponsors a one‑page or one‑slide snapshot with the essentials: key points, risks, and exactly what you need from them.
- Drop by and be present. Have sponsors drop into team meetings for quick, informal updates that boost visibility and signal commitment.
- Keep them current. Give sponsors short, timely updates on wins, challenges, and next steps so they’re always informed, aligned, and ready to act.
Helpful OCM resources for change sponsorship:
California Department of Technology (CDT) provides OD-related reference materials and tools that can be customized to meet your specific needs. For more in-depth guidance, including one-on-one consulting, reach out directly to CDT by filling out their Contact Form. Their services encompass a broad range of topics, including Organizational Change Management (OCM), Technology Consulting, and Project Management.
- Executive Interview Guide Template – This is used to assess executive leaders involved in the change initiative. It helps the OCM Practitioner to foster initial relationship building with executive leaders, instigate thought among executive leaders about what is required for a successful change initiative, identify the political “lay of the land”, which helps the project team navigate potential political issues and boundary struggles, and build a picture of the executive leaders’ strengths, questions, and possible problems related to the change initiative.
- Project Sponsorship Assessment Template – This assessment is designed to be an informal working document that identifies and evaluates potential Project Sponsor candidates. This assessment helps identify a Sponsor’s level of availability, interest, influence, and knowledge of the change initiative.
- Leadership Support Assessment Template – This serves as an internal assessment performed by the OCM Practitioner and project team. It evaluates leaders in two key areas or categories – their level of resistance and level of importance to the change initiative.
- Leadership Support Action Log – This is a living document that allows the OCM Practitioner to keep track of the actions taken with each executive, as well as the responsible resource, the timing, and the frequency of such actions. This log also allows for an easy transition of responsibility if there is a change in role.
- Project Sponsorship Action Register Template – This register is used to list the Sponsor’s required actions, the frequency of these actions, and the detailed responsibilities of the Sponsor. The Project Sponsor will use the Sponsorship Action Register to track their project responsibilities and record progress and completion of the Sponsor’s actions.
- Project Team Guidelines Template – This documents the defined set of expected behaviors that best fit the needs of the project team. It records and displays the behaviors in a visible location for the project team to review and implement.
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Contact CalHR’s Statewide Organizational Development Unit with any questions or feedback.
