Change Management Simulation Case Study

Change is an inevitable function of any organization and is something that employees and leaders alike are bound to face during their careers. According to Ivancevich et al (2011), how leaders are able to handle the task of change can determine the success or failure of an organization. As organizational leadership students, it is important for us to begin to develop and sharpen the necessary skills to innovate and adapt to change effectively. Leaders should be familiar with a variety of elements within the organization including an assessment of employee and leadership strengths, relationships, skill level and capability, level of support, and the types of resources readily available. Assessing these elements prior and during change, as well as evaluating the process after the fact, helps prepare organizations and leaders for future success. The Harvard School of Business’ interactive change management simulation, Change Management Simulation: Power and Influence V2 (2013), was a valuable assignment to help teach us about change from the standpoint of a mid-level management position at Spectrum, a sunglasses company, looking to adopt a new sustainability initiative.

This scenario, a low-urgency issue as a middle manager at a company, seems particularly useful as it is a position that many of us might find ourselves in upon graduation. We are thrown into the scenario with an average amount of surface information. In this exercise, we were faced with the challenges related to implementing an organization-wide sustainability initiative, to which we face some resistance. The plan sought to change the amount of raw material inputs to make Spectrum's sunglasses more ecologically friendly, as well as address the company’s current env...

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...hip students, we are making connections with each other. These connections can help us later in our careers when we are faced with a challenge. For example, if as a leader, I had an employee that was clearly distressed and could not help them cope, whether it is something in their professional or personal life, I know a quick email or phone call to Eric Swan, due to his counseling background and leadership classes can help me tremendously. Similarly, if I was ever in a situation where I needed some sort of help understanding the inner workings of a manufacturing team, Joel Marz could give me some valuable insight to lead my organization in a more efficient manner. Attending college and making these connections allows us all to expand our knowledge base. Using them beyond classes and assignments is a priceless tool that we all ought to keep in the back of our minds.