Change is inevitable in any organization, but some periods feel more turbulent than others. Economic pressures demand cost-cutting. A new C-level executive signals a cultural shift. Restructuring announcements ripple through teams. Strategic priorities get rewritten. In times like these, the organization is disrupted—and with it, the relationships that help it function.
When organizations go through change—whether driven by external market shifts, internal transformation, or leadership turnover—one of the first things to erode is certainty. People begin to question their roles, their value, and their future. Trust can fray. Silos re-emerge. Conversations become more cautious. What once felt like a well-connected network of teams can begin to feel fragmented.
And in the middle of this change stands the business relationship manager (BRM)—a crucial figure in any effective business change management strategy.
The BRM plays a unique role in connecting people, guiding priorities, and converging initiatives across the organization. But during periods of upheaval, even the BRM can begin to wonder: Am I still providing value? Do others see the importance of what I do? That sense of doubt can weigh heavily, especially for professionals who are used to enabling others rather than advocating for themselves.
In these moments, it’s important to remember that relationships don’t disappear in change—they become more critical than ever.
Change Disrupts, but It Also Reveals
During uncertainty, people naturally focus inward. Teams cling to what they can control, and decision-making becomes narrowly focused. But that’s also when the cracks in collaboration become most visible. Leaders suddenly realize they don’t know how different departments are reacting, critical initiatives stall due to misalignment, and teams miss opportunities because no one is connecting the dots.
This is where BRMs can—and must—step forward as key enablers of business change management.
By focusing on relationships first, BRMs bring stability. They create spaces for open dialogue, help teams move from reaction to reflection, surface competing priorities, and work through them with empathy and logic. In a landscape that’s shifting beneath everyone’s feet, BRMs are the ones who ask, “What do we need from each other right now?” and “How can we still deliver value together?”
Lead Through Relationships
BRMs are not just connectors—they are translators of value. When everything is changing, they help people reframe conversations from fear to possibility. Instead of “We’re being restructured,” it becomes “How do we make sure this new structure still meets our strategic needs?” Instead of “Our budget is being cut,” it becomes “How do we align our limited resources with the most important outcomes?”
This mindset is central to successful change management in business. It’s not about pretending things are fine. It’s about helping people find meaning and direction in the midst of ambiguity.
BRMs bring a belief that relationships are the strategy—not a soft skill, but a critical path to results. They remind organizations that sustainable value comes not just from the plan but from how people execute it together. When the future is uncertain, this relational capability becomes a competitive advantage.
How Business Relationship Managers Anchor Organizations in Uncertainty
If you’re a BRM navigating change, know this: your role matters more than ever.
Uncertainty will always test relationships, but it also creates an opportunity to strengthen them. You may not be able to control the external forces reshaping your organization, but you can influence how people respond, connect, and collaborate.
So instead of retreating into doubt, lean into your unique position. Ask the tough questions. Create the conversations others avoid. Bring clarity where others see only confusion. And most of all, keep showing up as a trusted partner—not just to one department, but to the whole organization.
Because when others are asking, “What’s changing?” you’re helping them ask, “What still matters?”
That’s the value of business relationship management in times of change.
Need a Partner in Business Relationship Change Management?
If your organization is going through a transformation and you’re looking for a more intentional approach to business relationship change management, we’re here to help.
Lead The Pack Consulting specializes in aligning relationship-driven strategies with organizational goals—so your people don’t just survive change, they lead through it.
Let’s talk about how we can help you lead the pack—together.
Leadership Education, BRM Training, Courses, Coaching and Consulting
Lead the Pack Consulting specializes in business relationship management (BRM) leadership development. Our years of experience in Leadership Management Education, Training, Courses, Coaching and Consulting help us support business relationship management teams and provide them with the leadership skills needed to overcome their challenges. We have provided leadership coaching to business relationship managers, leaders, and teams in a variety of organizations and industries. Since 2013, we have been a registered provider of business relationship management certification workshops and coaching.
Our coaches, Elka Schrijver and Peter Lijnse, have both won the prestigious Arnie Award from the Business Relationship Management (BRM) Institute for their work to embody, enhance, and promote business relationship management knowledge throughout the global BRM community. They have been actively involved in the BRM Institute since it was founded in 2013 and have been contributing authors for several components of the BRM Body of Knowledge and certification courses. They are currently writing a series of practical, user-friendly books about mastering business relationship management leadership skills.
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Peter Lijnse & Elka Schrijver
Lead The Pack Consulting
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