In the introduction to the Change Management Strategies Series, three major factors are found to affect change. These include an organized implementation plan, communication, and management buy-in. This blog focuses on management buy-in. A direct report’s level of engagement can be affected by information or business practices received by their manager. If a manager is resistant to change, oftentimes the direct report will inherit the same attitude. Understanding that managers need the same reassurances as direct reports all the way up the line will go a long way in solving this problem. Increasing manager buy-in can be done by developing test groups during the implementation process.