Ep 52: Change Management in Harmony: The CHORD Framework

This episode is sponsored by Mobrium. Win Glassdoor, Indeed and more. Streamline your employer reputation with Mobrium.©

Visit mobrium.com to learn more

‍

Guest Bio:

Ernest is the creator of the CHORD Framework™, a multidisciplinary approach to human-centered change management that empowers organizations to lead with empathy, clarity, and strategy. As Principal at Chapel & Wolfe, he helps companies drive sustainable change adoption by focusing on the people most impacted. With a background in IT enablement, enterprise learning, and consulting, Ernest transforms complex transformations into practical, people-first strategies that deliver lasting impact.

Follow Ernest Davis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edavis1911

Episode Highlights

Ernest Davis provides insights into managing organizational change effectively. There is a significant disconnect between the individuals implementing changes and the individuals most affected by them. This misalignment frequently results in high failure rates, with a McKinsey study indicating that over 70% of change initiatives do not succeed. The CHORD framework was developed to address this by focusing on change harmony for organizational readiness and development.

Through consistent observations throughout Ernest’s career, he noted that employees were often unprepared for new systems or processes, which led to frustration, rework, and reduced productivity. These experiences prompted him to develop a more human-centered approach. The CHORD framework integrates eight disciplines into a cohesive, four-stage process.

The CHORD acronym stands for Change Harmony for Organizational Readiness and Development. It encapsulates the framework's core principles. "Change Harmony" emphasizes the necessity for all stakeholders to be synchronized, preventing unexpected changes for employees. "Organizational Readiness" focuses on implementing changes at appropriate times, avoiding disruptions to critical operations such as sales team initiatives or quarterly deadlines. "Development" views change as a driver for competitive advantage, recognizing that continuous evolution is crucial for sustained growth. Drawing from his musical background, Ernest uses the analogy of individual musical notes forming a harmonious chord to illustrate how departments must work together for organizational success, highlighting the importance of synergy over isolated operations.

The four stages of the CHORD framework are Ground, Design, Activate, and Sustain (Anchor). The Ground stage involves identifying current inefficiencies, assessing misalignments, and understanding employee perspectives on change. This foundational step provides a clear overview of stakeholder sentiments and preparedness. The Design stage focuses on defining realistic behaviors and systems, emphasizing collaborative development with daily users to incorporate their insights. The Activate stage extends beyond basic training, providing leaders with coaching and employees with continuous "nudges"—short, in-workflow updates and encouragement to ensure ongoing engagement and skill adoption. The Sustain (Anchor) stage integrates the new culture into leadership behaviors and feedback loops, making previously unaddressed concerns visible for continuous improvement.

The CHORD framework offers a clear and impactful method for managing organizational change. Its effectiveness lies in its straightforward nature and logical progression. By prioritizing understanding and alignment from the outset, this framework helps organizations avoid the pitfalls of fragmented processes and the substantial financial waste associated with unsuccessful initiatives. Ernest believes that an employee-first approach is essential for organizations aiming to be client-first.