The instruments in the Denkwerkstatt courage case

The ongoing digitalization of all processes within organizations requires transformations in ever shorter cycles. No sooner has the implementation of SAP S/4HANA been completed than the next round of AI-supported systems or a comprehensive restructuring is on the agenda. One central principle applies to all these transformations: strategy follows culture.

Transformations inevitably fail if the people in the organization do not understand the purpose of the change, if the innovations cannot be integrated into their daily work and if the team does not derive any tangible benefit from the new system. These findings have long been known among experts in cultural change and are recognized as indispensable foundations.

A decade ago, we began analyzing successful transformation processes around the world. We collected the best practices and experiences and used them to develop a comprehensive toolbox that we call the "Courage Toolbox for Werkstolz". We generally use these tools in two-year projects to accompany project groups, train internal facilitators and support a variety of workshops and team development measures.

Denkwerkstatt has a wide range of tried and tested tools and methods in its MUT case for cultural transformation. We have successfully integrated the phases of change as described by Kurt Lewin into our practice. We interpret Lewin's model of the phases Unfreeze - Move - Freeze as Comprehensibility - Manageability - Significance.

We create comprehensibility by analyzing the relevant fields of action and making them transparent. We promote movement and change in companies by providing employees with manageable and proven tools. Finally, we stabilize the changes achieved by making their meaningfulness and significance clear.

To make these transformations possible, we rely on a combination of proven and innovative formats that are individually tailored to the needs of each company. Accompanying advice at eye level is a central component of our approach.

The Denkwerkstatt MUT case contains specific tools that have been developed for the respective phases of change. These tools are prototypes that are adapted to the individual requirements of each company. After all, every company is unique.