Discussion
Unit 7: Discussion
Introction
One of the main obstacles to implementing organizational modifications is resistance to change; people’s unwillingness to accept or support alterations in the workplace. Unfortunately, when individuals resist change, it can affect their productivity, performance, and relationships. The figure below, provided by Neck et al. in Chapter 15, provides a visualization of forces that lead to resistance of change. Do any of these sound familiar?
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Directions
Initial Post
Part 1
Read carefully section “Reducing Resistance to Change” found in Chapter 15 of the Neck et al. textbook. For the discussion:
- Assess two examples of skills you, as a leader, want to demonstrate for subordinates that help individuals adjust their attitudes and behaviors to reduce resistance to organizational change initiates? Make sure to identify links to Kotter’s 8-step change model as well as appropriate business literature.
- Evaluate best practices, as identified in the business literature, for reducing resistance to change. Which tools do you find useful (or which tools you find ineffective) based on your personal experiences? Make sure to provide examples as well as support in your response.
Exercise 15.1: Overcoming Resistance to Change
Objective
The purpose of this exercise is to understand resistance to change.
Instructions
This exercise is a class discussion based upon employees’ resistance to change. The text discusses ten individual sources of resistance to change. The ten reasons are provided below and are explained in detail within the text:
· Lack of clarity
· Fear of the unknown
· Lack of skills
· Overcommitment to the current model
· Lack of trust
· Being left out
· Change to routine
· Resignation
· Perceptions of change
· Inadequate benefits and rewards
Your instructor will write each on the board or provide a slide with the ten reasons delineated. As a class, discuss each one from a manager’s perspective. As you proceed through the reasons, offer suggestions for steps a manager could take to lessen or remove that particular resistance to change. Be as specific as possible with detailed actions or words the manager could employ in combating each resistance to change.
Reflection Questions
1. Which of the ten reasons for resistance to change is the most challenging for a manager to address? Why?
2. Which of the ten reasons for resistance to change do you engage in most often at work? Explain.
3. What successful strategies have you personally experienced that a manager utilized to combat two or more of the reasons listed above? Why were they so effective?
Exercise contributed by Steven Stovall, Southeast Missouri State University.