When embarking on any change project, I have over the years found that there are two categories of people that take up your time but contribute little to the success of the change: the rolling stones and the stones.
So what are they like? First, the rolling stones:
The rolling stones don't stay long. Whether moving between departments and teams or out of the organization, chances are they won't be around in one year's time. They are excited by new challenges and they see change programmes as a great opportunity to move and try something new. They will never criticise the change because they can see the advantage in it for themselves.
For the inexperienced change manager, this group is dangerous. Their enthusiasm for the change and the positive open attitude they have can be a welcome relief from the challenge and cynicism usually encountered. But they don't really care. They will be gone within a year. The change is only an opportunity for them to keep moving or do something different.
Keep your eye out for rolling stones. They can't be change champions because they won't have the credibility with the wider team. Indeed, their endorsement can even make others cynical. Let them roll on by.
The other category to be wary of is the stones. These people have been in the organization a long time and have not progressed or moved during that time. They are probably still doing the same job they were recruited into years ago. That in itself doesn't make them a stone. Almost always they have one other quality: they are unhappy. Pay rises are never enough, improvement of conditions are insufficient, whatever is happening is not right. They are unhappy but they never leave because this is the best job they can get.
The stones can suck up a lot of your time as a change manager and they will never be happy. No amount of explanation will work.
I find once I have identified the rolling stones and stones I can then focus on the core team. I don't ignore these two groups entirely but I limit my contact and don't agonise over them. The rolling stones are light relief (but don't believe it), the stones will never be happy. Put your energies elsewhere.
Your small improvement for today is to identify the rolling stones and the stones.