This course teaches managers how sudden changes affect a work group. It then teaches them how to plan for a change, and some techniques for introducing that change in a way that minimizes negative effects. It also shows them how to recognize dysfunctional responses to change and ways in turn to manage those.

Complete Course Description

PURPOSE OF THE WORKSHOP: This is a workshop of tools and techniques for introducing a broad variety of changes in an organization. Participants learn how to initiate change in a way that minimizes operational disruption, and at the same time maximizes commitment to the change process by the people whose energetic cooperation is critical to making the change work. In a nutshell, this course teaches Leaders how to position a change initiative for success.

WORKSHOP CONTENT: There are six modules to this workshop. This is what they cover:

1. The Experience of Contemporary Change: We begin the workshop with a quick review of what we have learned over the past decade about adaptation, flexibility, and change in the North American workplace. We examine the various sources of change, and focus on the most common ones and how they typically occur: External Change, Employee-Focused Change, Leadership-Driven, Culture-focused, Customer-Driven, Strategy-Oriented, and the like.



2. The Impact of a Change Decision: In this module we discuss how changes are often introduced in an organization, and how most people typically respond to changes in their work environment. We describe the uneven effect of changes, and the differential costs to various players.



3. Stages in an Organizational Transition: We introduce participants to a Change Process Model, whose primary elements are these:



• Building a case for change.



• Motivating critical stakeholders.



• Communicating the change openly and honestly.



• Empowering people to take the initiative and to respond to new situations aggressively.



• Encouraging people to think big and act new.



• Ensuring success by keeping positive change on course.


4. Change Success Factors: This is an examination of 14 variables which differentiate the behavior, attitudes, and characteristics of people who do well under the endless transitions required in high-speed, fast-change contemporary organizations, from those who tend to respond poorly. Some part of this module is given over to an examination of how employees learn and then integrate a more positive behavior set.



5. Sources of Resistance: This module teaches managers how to identify likely sources of resistance to appropriate changes, and to deal with them effectively.



6. Taking Positive Action: This final module helps managers and their team members, in the face of uncertainty and ambiguity, to make smart decisions, take calculated risks, and make wise choices in the best interests of the business and of themselves.