Teamwork Tuesdays: John Kotter— The 8-Step Change Model

How do you create a culture change?

John Kotter teaches that culture does not change because leaders announce a new slogan or hang new values on the wall. Culture changes when people begin doing things differently — and those new behaviors become “the way we do things here.”

His 8-Step Change Model is a roadmap for making that happen:

1. Create urgency – Help people understand why change matters now. If people do not see the need, they will stay comfortable.

2. Build a guiding team – Change cannot come from one leader alone. You need trusted people across the team who believe in the change and can influence others.

3. Create a clear vision – People need to know where the team is going and what success looks like.

4. Communicate the vision often – One meeting is not enough. Great leaders repeat the message consistently and connect it to everyday work.

5. Remove barriers – Ask, “What is making this hard?” Then remove obstacles, confusion, or outdated habits that keep people stuck.

6. Create short-term wins – People support what they can see. Celebrate small improvements early to build confidence and momentum.

7. Keep going – Do not stop after one success. Keep reinforcing the behaviors and building on the progress.

8. Make it part of the culture – The final step is when the new behavior becomes normal. It is no longer “the new way”—it is just how the team works.

The big lesson for culture is this: you do not change culture by talking about it. You change culture by changing behaviors, celebrating them, and repeating them until they become habits.

Something to Think About:

How can we intentionally change what we do every day — our behaviors, habits, and standards — so that the culture we want becomes the way we actually work?