leading Innov

5.2 Change Theory (Kotter)

Getting Started

John P. Kotter, renown Harvard professor, author, and change expert, noticed that most change initiatives failed and began studying the factors involved in successful change efforts. One Kotter identified successful change factors, he created an eight-step change model for leaders when enacting change within their organization.

In LDR-415 Communication as Leaders, you read some of Kotter's work and the Penguin parable. Here is a brief video review of  Our Iceberg is Melting (new tab) .

This week, we will also be considering resistance to change.

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re·sist·ance. ( noun)

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People resist change for different reasons. Some people feel uneasy about doing new things. Others fear losing their status. What does resistance to change look like in your organization? Can you identify it? Do you know how to overcome it? Check out this six-minute  video (new site)  on overcoming resistance to change.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Describe the barriers to innovation, learning, and change.

· Identify barriers to effective innovation, learning, and change.

· Discuss solutions and strategies to overcome barriers to effective innovation, learning, and change.

Background Information

To prepare for this assignment, access the drop-down below to review videos and articles on overcoming barriers to innovation and change.

An Overview of Kotter’s Work on Organizational Change (new tab)

Top 5 Organizational Change Management Strategies

Dealing with Resistance to Change (new tab)

Article:  Change Management for a Fast-moving World (new tab)

Instructions

1. Review the information in Getting Started and Background Information sections.

2. Based upon your reading and review, use the following thought prompts to engage your thinking. Then post a 250–300-word response that integrates the key ideas and stimulates group conversation and learning (i.e., think about you and your classmates as adult learners). Consider to following prompts:

a. According to Kotter, what are the eight steps to change?

b. Of the eight steps, which ones might be easiest to implement in your organization? The hardest?

c. Based on your other reading to date, identify the barriers to change.

d. Which of these barriers exist in your organization?

e. What are some solutions and strategies to overcome such barriers?  

3. Be sure to incorporate at least two additional sources beyond assigned material in this course.

4. All postings should be thoughtful, but succinct. Please remember to cite your work where appropriate (APA, 7th ed).

a. Feel free to utilize Academic Writer (APA formatting resource) and Grammarly (grammar and plagiarism check) on the  IWU Resources  page.

b.