For years, organizations have turned to change management: a structured, top-down strategy aimed at guiding people through transitions. While change management focuses on controlling the process, setting boundaries, and addressing resistance, it often feels like something is happening “to” people instead of “with” them.
Change enablement offers a refreshing shift. Rather than merely managing the aftermath, change enablement integrates the capacity for change into the everyday work environment. This proactive and continuous approach is centered on people; leaders who embrace enablement create cultures where change is not just accepted but eagerly anticipated and even initiated by team members.
Understanding the Difference
- Change Management: Emphasizes processes, control, and managing transitions from the top down. It aims to minimize disruption while guiding people from point A to point B.
- Change Enablement: Concentrates on behaviors, growth, and building capabilities for ongoing, limitless change. It fosters interactions that empower individuals and teams to adapt, learn, and thrive—regardless of what challenges may arise.
The Science Behind Enablement
Our brains are hardwired to minimize threats and maximize rewards. When change is perceived as imposed, it can trigger a threat response—think resistance or disengagement. Conversely, when individuals choose to change, their brains forge new connections, releasing neurotransmitters that create positive associations. Leaders can facilitate this process by empowering their teams, promoting continuous learning, and nurturing a growth mindset.
“Threats to certainty or autonomy are perceived by the brain as real threats, generating a reaction akin to facing a life-threatening predator.”
— Ron Leeman, Change Management Expert
The Winning Edge: Why Enablement Prevails
- Research by Prosci reveals that organizations with strong change management practices are up to six times more likely to meet or exceed performance expectations. However, the most successful organizations don’t merely manage change; they cultivate a culture of change capability, embedding it into their daily lives.
- According to Harvard Business Review, clear and consistent communication alongside active leadership increases the likelihood of successful change initiatives by 3.5 times. When leaders embrace adaptability and integrate change practices into everyday routines, teams become more resilient and engaged.
Fostering Brains for Change
Change enablement is fundamentally about developing neuroplasticity—the brain’s remarkable ability to rewire itself through learning and experience. By consistently stimulating neural pathways, we strengthen our capacity to adopt new behaviors. Leaders can nurture resilience and growth by encouraging open feedback, celebrating learning from failures, and supporting ongoing development.
Synthology’s Perspective
At Synthology, we believe in weaving change enablement into the fabric of daily operations. Our approach is practical, intentional, and grounded in brain science. We enable leaders to create environments where change is not merely a project, but a natural aspect of working. By fostering capabilities for limitless change, organizations become more agile, innovative, and prepared for the future.
In summary:
Change management equips us to navigate change, while change enablement empowers us to flourish within it. By integrating change into our daily routines, organizations can confidently turn uncertainty into opportunity and resistance into resilience. Get in touch with us to learn more about how Synthology can help!
Lynette Phillips
Synthology CRO & Change Enabler
www.synthology.co (or link to insight page here)
Sources:
- Prosci: The Correlation Between Change Management and Project Success[3]
- Harvard Business Review: Change Management[4]
- Change Management Hub: Change Management Statistics[2]
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/change-management-brain-ron-leeman/[1](https://synthologyllc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/lynette_phillips_synthology_co/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7B03748CFD-A689-4817-9A97-644F13D81D88%7D&file=Change%20Management%20vs%20Change%20Enablement.pptx&action=edit&mobileredirect=true)
References
[1] Change Management vs Change Enablement
[2] www.change-management-hub.com
[3] www.prosci.com
[4] hbr.org
