Handholding in GPIH: Ensuring Long-Term Success
When we talk about strategy execution, most people focus on planning and implementation. But what happens after the action plan is launched? This is where many organizations lose track and slowly slip back into old habits. The GPIH Framework has a powerful solution for this problem — the Handholding stage.
Handholding is the fourth and final step of GPIH (Gaps × Prescription × Implementation × Handholding), and it is what keeps strategies alive and working. Without this stage, even the best strategies can fade away.
What Does Handholding Mean in GPIH?
Handholding is about guiding, supporting, and reviewing the progress of the strategy after implementation. It ensures that employees are not left alone once the plan is rolled out. Teams often face challenges, confusion, and small roadblocks when they start working with new processes or systems. Handholding makes sure someone is there to guide them, clear doubts, and keep the momentum going.
Why Handholding is Important
Builds Confidence: Employees feel supported and are more likely to adopt new changes with confidence.
Keeps Everyone Focused: Regular check-ins and reviews keep the team aligned with the goal.
Fixes Issues Quickly: Small problems are addressed before they become major obstacles.
Improves Consistency: Handholding creates discipline, ensuring everyone follows the new process.
Ensures Long-Term Success: It makes sure the changes don’t fade away after the first few weeks.
How to Make Handholding Effective
Set Clear Review Timelines: Weekly or monthly reviews help measure progress.
Offer Continuous Training: Provide learning sessions whenever needed.
Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize efforts and keep the team motivated.
Encourage Feedback: Allow employees to share challenges openly.
Adapt When Needed: Make changes in the action plan if something is not working.
Role of Handholding in GPIH
The GPIH Framework works step by step — finding gaps, prescribing solutions, implementing actions — but it is the handholding stage that secures the results. This stage transforms short-term success into long-term achievement. It turns a new process into a habit and makes strategy execution part of the company culture.
Handholding is not just about monitoring; it is about walking with the team until they are comfortable and confident with the change. This stage ensures that all the effort put into gap analysis, prescriptions, and implementation does not go to waste. It is the key to sustainable growth and lasting improvement.
Contact Dr. Kuldeep Sharma to know more about the GPIH Framework and how handholding can help your organization achieve long-term success.
