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Essays on organizational change management
Change management theories, techniques and leadership
Change management theories, techniques and leadership
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Introduction The change process within any organization can prove to be difficult and very stressful, not only for the employees but also for the management team. Hayes (2014), highlights seven core activities that must take place in order for change to be effective: recognizing the need for change, diagnosing the change and formulating a future state, planning the desired change, implementing the strategies, sustaining the implemented change, managing all those involved and learning from the change. Individually, these steps are comprised of key actions and decisions that must be properly addressed in order to move on to the next step. This paper is going to examine how change managers manage the implementation of change and strategies used …show more content…
Unfortunately, most change managers may feel reluctant in sharing information with employees as they fear the unexpected events that may occur and threaten outcomes. Change managers are also apprehensive in communicating as they are scared their competitions be on alert or employees may leave due to fear. Hayes (2014), advises change managers to develop a communication strategy in order to better communication with employees. He identifies steps to take in order to create a communication …show more content…
Communication goals allows change manages to identify the needed information, employees may benefit from. Communication goals also allow change managers to find the best communication tools to use to address employees: whether it is by email, phone or meetings. • Choose a communication tool. When deciding on the communication tool, change managers must take into consideration the sensitivity of the issue or information as well as stakeholders. It is important to keep in mind that people receive and react to information different. Therefore, due diligence must be done prior to communicating the change to employees. Hayes (2014), encourages change managers to keep an open line of communication with employees. Although these ones may not agree or support the upcoming change, they value the information being given to them at the onset and may eventually tolerate or accept the change. Therefore, it is important for change managers to not only communicate with employees, but provide relevant information, as the quality of the communication is of the utmost importance. Overcoming Contingencies of Change
Change affects more than just a program or a process within an organization, change affects employees, collecting data on employee’s readiness and willingness to accept a change will help leaders know if the organization is socially ready for change (Cole, Harris, and Bernerth, 2006). A change might be positive for an organization but if the employees who will be affect by the change are lost in the process then it could create a greater issue than not making the change. Leadership needs to communicate and inspire the employees to be positive toward the change, seeking to enhance their job satisfaction not make changes that will increase their desire to leave. This data is best collected early in the change initiative allowing leadership to properly cast the vision while addressing concerns. This requires leadership to create platforms for employees to engage in the change initiative freely (Ford, 2006). Employee attitudes can be measured through these dialogues providing leadership with necessary measureable data (Hughes, 2007).
“The Heart of Change,” by John Kotter and Dan S. Cohen can act as a diagram for any organization facing challenges that come with implementing change. In the 21st Century in order to stay competitive with your competitors you have to implement changes, new systems and approaches to keep the organization relevant. With changes there comes errors that a company may encounter, sometimes these errors if not fixed can make the change within the organization impossible. Employees are reluctant and can’t see the views or their leader, and this makes change unsuccessful. That’s where Kotter’s eight step change model can give an organization a guideline and understanding of some of the challenges that they may encounter with change. Comparing Kotter’s
Organizational change is a very big risk for organizations. The process of change can be very difficult for employees as well as the leaders implementing the changes. The changes are usually planned to improve the company. However, sometimes change can destroy a company when things don’t go as planned. From a change in management to a change in the company structure, or way of doing daily task, organizations must carefully execute the process of change and use change strategies that will ensure success.
Often times when one hears the word “change” in any aspect of life, they are often, put off, and intimidated by the word itself and the intended implication. This is a normal and understandable reaction for anyone engaging in any type of change. In terms of organizational change, this type of behavior often seen as, but is not limited to pushback, resistance, lack in productivity, turnover, drop in overall customer service, etc by team members. Thus, as organizational leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that any change management implemented is smooth and has lasting benefits; by considering the impact on the organization as a whole and most importantly, the impact it will have on the team members within the
Change as defined by Thompson (2010) is “a process through which people and organizations move as they gradually come to understand and become skilled and competent in the use of new ways.” Change is not a process that happens in just one day. It is something that takes time to build and strengthen amongst an organization. The people involved in the process of change need to have the same goals and have the same clear ideas; this so they can be in the same mindset and be able to work together towards success. Communication is crucial during the process of change to facilitate the work for the people involved in the organization.
Graetz, F., & Smith, A. C. T. (June 2010). Managing organizational change: A philosophies of change approach. Journal of Change Management 10(2), 135–154.
According to Sullivan and Decker there is a ten-step process to implement change (Sullivan & Decker, 2009). In the first three steps the manager must identify the problem or opportunity, collect the necessary data and information and analyze that data. The purpose of collecting and analyzing the data is to identify potential solutions and consequences of the change (Sullivan and Decker). After the data is analyzed the manager should develop a plan for change. This plan should include the time frame in which the change will take place and also the resources the manager has available and ones that are needed (Sullivan & Decker). The next step is to identify the supporters and opposers of the change. This is an important step because the enthusiasm of supporters can be contagious. When key supporters are given authority to make changes, they can be effective in leading others to support the change, and the change is more likely to succeed (Sullivan & Decker). Some people are very resistant to change. By identifying those who oppose the change it will give the management to work with those people or have them leave the organization. Change is...
Changing situations throughout the world affect all organizations in business today. Therefore, most organizations acknowledge the need to experience change and transformation in order to survive. The key challenges companies face are due to the advancements in technology, the social environment caused by globalization, the pace of competition, and the demands regarding customer expectations. It is difficult to overcome the obstacles involved with change despite all the articles, books, and publications devoted to the topic. People are naturally resistant to fundamental changes and often intimidated by the process; the old traditional patterns and methods are no longer effective.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss organizational change and the management of that change. I will talk about the different drivers of change, the factors a leader needs to weigh to implement change effectively, the various resistances a leader may encounter while trying to implement change, and how various leadership styles will effect the realization of change. I will also discuss the knowledge I have gained through the completion of this assignment and how I think it might affect the way I manage change in my workplace.
The article “Organizational Change management” is majorly based on addressing and evaluating different literatures and views related to the organizational functions in terms of change management and the impact of behavioral changes and psychological contract within employee and employer on the proper execution and success of change management. The illustration of organizational change management has highlighted different approaches adopted and executed by number of organizations. The rapid changes in economical and political factors of external business environment as well as the introduction of complex and globalized business practices has influenced a number of businesses to accept the practice of continuous change management in terms of coping up with the competitive environment.
Change usually comes with resistance in any workplace because change disrupts the employees’ sense of safety and control (Lewis, 2012). Kurt Lewin (1951) created a three step process for assisting employees with organizational Change (Lewis, 2012). The three stages are Unfreeze, Change and Refreeze. These are the steps to a smooth transition for change within organizations. Further, these steps are not possible without good communication from upper Management through line staff. Communication was consistently listed as an issue in surveys conducted by the department.
Change in an organization occurs when an organization identifies an area of where necessary change must be undertaken, examines it thoroughly and adapts to it. This may lead to gaps where employees may not adapt to a certain change and therefore it is important that an organization takes into considerati...
Change Management is not impossibly difficult. It need detailed planning, including everyone affected, frequent interaction, accomplish a perspicuous target for the change and a method of measuring success, complete the plan, and strengthen the change once it is in place.
Change is a constant and ingoing process in an organization. Change can be defined as one of the many characteristics of organization development. The change efforts are based on the analysis of particular problems and their purpose is to attain specific goals. Change is not an easy thing to implement and anticipate. It is a difficult and a challenging process; therefore the management has to take certain steps in order to prepare them for antedating the change in business environment. The senior management can prepare themselves for a change through studying and researching about change, by having a sound awareness about the change process and by understanding the necessity of change and by being mentally tough about the change process. All in all, a constant change is ...
Managers must first evaluate their personal reactions to the organisational change and how they can best accept this change. They must then ascertain the knowledge or training they may need to lead this change in the most successful manner.