Acertare Hourglass Model

The hourglass model from Acertare© is our analogy for organizational change that respects the dignity of individuals. It highlights the importance of an organized, balanced, and ethically guided change process. It represents the need to control and direct the flow of changes in an organized manner, considering both the organization’s objectives and the well-being of individuals. Leaders and change agents play a fundamental role in communicating and facilitating the change, while the proper preparation of individuals to operate with the new model and tools is essential. Together, this analogy emphasizes the importance of an ethical and respectful approach to organizational change management. The hourglass is a fascinating metaphor to represent an organizational change that respects the dignity of the people affected. This analogy underscores several crucial aspects of ethical and considerate change management. Acertare© Hourglass Model Operationally, the model represents the elements to facilitate ethical change:

• A structured Change Management process that considers the environment and culture.
• Clear vision and strategy embraced by everyone throughout the chain of command.
• Leaders: Capable of Sponsoring and Influencing.
• Middle Managers: Taking responsibility for adopting changes in their area.
• Effectiveness, Integration, and coordination of the Project Team, including consulting firms.
• Change Agents: Socializing the change in their area of influence.
• People: Being prepared to operate with the new model and tools
• Environment: Understanding the market environment

Firstly, the hourglass symbolizes the control and direction of the flow of changes in an organized and balanced manner. Similarly, change management that respects the dignity of individuals strives to manage and control the change process in a way that does not cause unnecessary disruptions or stress for employees. This means carefully planning the stages of change and setting realistic deadlines, allowing people to adapt more effectively. The duality and balance in an hourglass reflect the need to consider both the organization’s objectives and the well-being of individuals. In ethical organizational change, there is a search for a balance between implementing new practices and protecting the dignity and rights of employees. It is recognized that people are an integral part of the process, and collaboration with them is sought rather than imposing changes authoritatively. The analogy also emphasizes the importance of leaders and change agents who act as effective facilitators and communicators. Just as the sand is directed and transferred from one chamber to another, leaders and change agents play a crucial role in communicating the benefits and purpose of the change while providing support and clarity to those affected. Finally, preparing people to operate with the new model and tools is similar to the process of filling the hourglass before its use. In ethical organizational change, employees are provided with the necessary training and support to ensure they are prepared and comfortable working with the new practices and tools. In summary, the analogy between the hourglass and an organizational change that respects the dignity of individuals highlights the importance of ethical and considerate change management. It represents an organized, balanced process led by leaders and change agents who care about the well-being of those affected while efficiently and effectively working towards the organization’s objectives. In relation to change management, the Hourglass represents:

1. A Change Management process that considers the environment and culture.
2. Clear and shared vision and strategy embraced by everyone throughout the chain of command.
3. Leaders capable of sponsoring and influencing (directing the flow).
4. Middle Managers: Taking responsibility for adopting changes in their area.
5. Effectiveness, Integration, and Coordination of the Project Team.
6. Change Agents: Socializing the change in their area of influence.
7. People: Being prepared to operate with the new model.
8. Environment: Understanding the market environment.

For it to be ethical, the leader, aware of their environment, asks and listens to people (sees where the sand should fall) and thus guides the change towards a greater good. For those whom the change does not benefit, they attend to them and compensate for the impact (distributive justice). The implicit messages in an hourglass are:

1. Constant Flow: Nothing remains static in the world, and everything is in constant motion and transformation.
2. Duality and Balance: In life and in nature, opposing forces often interact to produce a dynamic balance, similar to the flow of sand in an hourglass.
3. Impermanence: Situations, people, and circumstances in life are constantly changing and do not remain the same.
4. Finitude and Limits: Change in life is also subject to limits and restrictions.
5. Reflecting about Time: Time is the context in which changes occur, and both concepts are intertwined in our experience of reality.