“Our Iceberg Is Melting” paints a simple picture of how to get everyone moving toward a new destination.

It may seem like a children’s book because of the way the words and illustrations have been used, but it provides deep insight into how managers can get the whole team on board to implement change.

“Our Iceberg Is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions” by Holger Rathgeber and John Kotter tells a simple visual story about a group of penguins who are unaware that the iceberg they live on is melting. The story follows the journey of one penguin, Fred, who makes the discovery and then the intricate journey Fred has to undertake to convince his penguin community that their iceberg is melting and that they need to relocate their habitat.

At the heart of the story are the motivations of each character in the penguin colony and how Fred and his growing clan of believers help them see the bigger picture.

Behind this seemingly simple metaphor lies a deeper story: how to lead and manage change in an organization.

Change management is a key process that many leaders must undertake during key transformational moments in organizations. Leaders must guide and inspire their teams, and this is no easy task.

The book outlines an eight-step process for approaching change:

1. Create a sense of urgency by identifying potential threats and analyzing scenarios to address them.
2. Build a team that has enough trust within the community and empowers members to lead the necessary efforts. One person alone may struggle to lead and implement transformative change.
3. A change of vision is necessary to create the right strategy.
4. It is important to communicate that vision at all levels and through different methods.
5. Empower multiple change agents to work on the pathways necessary to implement the vision.
6. The change process takes time; create small milestones and reward short-term achievements
7. As momentum builds, credibility must be continually built through systems, processes and people who can implement the vision.
8. Finally, it is important to point out the connections between new behaviors and the success they bring.

The story also highlights how important it is to remain flexible to adapt to the changing environment and come up with creative solutions.

While communication is a key factor in the process, the book also addresses a critical area: resistance to change is natural.

The book shows that by understanding and addressing the concerns of those who resist change, leaders can help them see the benefits of change and join efforts to move in a new direction.

Last but not least, change is not a one-time thing. Even after initial success, it is important not to become complacent. Continuous improvement and vigilance are necessary to sustain change and ensure long-term success.

The book, through its narrative format, provides lasting lessons for those looking to implement large-scale change management in their companies.