Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail

“The images, metaphors, or frames that we hold, both of managing and of change, influence our ideas of what we think managing change is all about” (Palmer, Dunford, & Akin, 2009). As people we all see through our own eyes, we call see a different perspective and have a different reaction to what is coming next. As human beings we react differently to situations. Situations of change are transitions that some are able to adapt to quickly while others have a hard time. Being the leader of that change can be difficult and helping make a change does not come easily or effectively. Keep and Newcomer (2008)

Step 2 is forming a powerful guiding coalition. Leadership will have to be on board and on the same page in regards to the change. Kotter and Cohen reveal the core problems people face when leading change. Their main findings are that the central issue concerns not structure or systems but behavior and how to alter it (Farris, 2008). The success of the changes will depend on the ability of the managers to show their commitment to change and motivate the employees to do the same. Without any process to track the implementation, the change can also fail.

Providing clarity about the change can improve the transition process. According to Mclean (2011), leaders

Leaders change systems, structures and policies that have not yet been confronted. They hire, promote and develop employees who can implement the vision for change. In addition, they revitalise the process with a new round of projects or change agents.(Cengage Learning AUS, 2015)

lead change initiatives which could lead to the change process to become challenging as there may be a

This book puts emphasis on the transformation of an American citizen into a marine and the importance of sustaining the change. It is imperative because our war fighting ability depends on a lasting transformation not only during the time of the individual’s Marine Corps career but also when he or she returns to their civilian communities.

Organizations must respond to their internal and external environment. Therefore, organizational success heavily relies on leaderships ability to manage change. Unfortunately, many leaders struggle to effectively lead change initiatives. In fact, Ashkenas (2013, para. 1) reported 60 – 70% of organizational change initiatives fail to meet their objectives.

Change is a double-edged sword (Fullan, 2001). Change is a word that might inspire or put fear into people. Leadership is challenging when it comes to dealing with change and how individuals react within the organization to the change. Marzano, McNulty, and Waters (2005) discuss two orders of change in their book School Leadership that Works; first and second. Fullan (2001) also adds to the discussion in his book Leading in a Culture of Change, with regard to understanding change. In Change Leadership, Keagan and Wagner (2006) discuss many factors of change and the systematic approach to change. Change affects people in different ways. Leaders need to be able to respond to the individuals throughout the change process.

From the issues raised in the section above, it can be seen that change is complex and there is not a single solution. However, a number of key areas of focus emerge.

When taking the time to think about the subject of transforming initiatives another thought sparks – the image of God. The reasoning of such a correlation is due to the interpretation of the image of God – reflecting our God throughout our actions, decisions and relationships. Transforming initiatives provides the opportunity of transforming areas of weakness or where we may fall short of reflecting God into areas of victory. In the bible, we can take the time to search and list all the commandments God request of His followers. What may seem demanding is more helpful.

Leadership is critical when executing a strategic change initiative. By differentiating leadership and management, leadership styles and the key factors of change we can better understand what should be done to successfully lead change. Success is not obtained through leadership alone but by developing a group of individuals from all levels of the organization who work together as a team. . (Leban and Stone, 2007)

Ethics are moral principles or beliefs about what is right or wrong and guide individuals in their dealings with other, within groups (stakeholders), and provide a basis for deciding whether a particular decision or behavior is right or proper. Go online to this site and report on one case of corporate fraud the government reported. Then write at least 350 words on the case and the ethics violations you see took place within the company you chose: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Compliance-&-Enforcement-News

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.

Section 1: Introduction. In the first chapter of the textbook, you were introduced to four short stories of change. The story I have selected is the McDonald's story. The points will come from Chapter 1 of the textbook, p.6-8.

The Six Secrets of Change: What the Best leaders Do to Help Their Organizations Survive and Thrive.