Question

Describe and apply leadership and change management theories, tools, and best practices.

Answer 1

Change is the only constant reality of life and is observed not just in our personal life but also on the professional front. Managing change and learning to adapt to it takes time, energy, efforts and training and this is the reason why several learned individuals around the globe have come up with properly structured and defined models to manage change.The following are some of the best strategies and approaches to implement change management.

Lewin’s Change Management model

Lewin’s Change Management Model is one of the most popular and effective models that make it possible for us to understand organizational and structured change.His model consists of three main stages which are: unfreeze, change and refreeze.

Unfreeze: The first stage of the process of change according to Lewin’s method involves the preparation for the change. This means that at this step, the organization must get prepared for the change and also for the fact that change is crucial and needed. This phase is important because most people around the world try to resist change, and it is important to break this status quo.

Change: This is the stage where the real transition or change takes place. The process may take time to happen as people usually spend time to embrace new happenings, developments, and changes.

Refreeze: Now that the change has been accepted, embraced and implemented by people, the company or organization begins to become stable again. This is why the stage is referred to as refreeze. This is the time when the staff and processes begin to refreeze, and things start going back to their normal pace and routine.

McKinsey 7 S Model

Model is one of those few models that have managed to persist even when others came in and went out of trend.

Stages

• Strategy – Strategy is the plan created to get past the competition and reach the goals. This is the first stage of change according to McKinsey’s 7-S framework and involves the development of a step-by-step procedure or future plan.
• Structure – Structure is the stage or attribute of this model that relates to the way in which the organization is divided or the structure it follows.
• Systems – In order to get a task done, the way in which the day-to-day activities are performed is what this stage is related to.
• Shared values – Shared values refer to the core or main values of an organization according to which it runs or works.
• Style – The manner in which the changes and leadership are adopted or implemented is known as ‘style’.
• Staff – The staff refers to the workforce or employees and their working capabilities.
• Skills – The competencies as well as other skills possessed by the employees working in the organization.

Kotter’s change management theory

Kotter’s change management theory is one of the most popular and adopted ones in the world. This theory has been devised by John P. Kotter, who is a Harvard Business School Professor and author of several books based on change management. This change management theory of his is divided into eight stages where each one of them focuses on a key principle that is associated with the response of people to change.

Stages

• Increase urgency – This step involves creating a sense of urgency among the people so as to motivate them to move forward toward objectives.
• Build the team – This step of Kotter’s change management theory is associated with getting the right people on the team by selecting a mix of skills, knowledge and commitment.
• Get the vision correct – This stage is related to creating the correct vision by taking into account, not the just strategy but also creativity, emotional connect and objectives.
• Communicate – Communication with people regarding change and its need is also an important part of the change management theory by Kotter.
• Get things moving – In order to get things moving or empower action, one needs to get support, remove the roadblocks and implement feedback in a constructive way.
• Focus on short term goals – Focusing on short term goals and dividing the ultimate goal into small and achievable parts is a good way to achieve success without too much pressure.
• Don’t give up – Persistence is the key to success, and it is important not to give up while the process of change management is going on, no matter how tough things may seem.
• Incorporate change – Besides managing change effectively, it is also important to reinforce it and make it a part of the workplace culture.

The List of Change Management Tools

• Flowcharts/ Process Maps.
• ADKAR Analysis.
• Culture Mapping.
• Force Field Analysis.
• Stakeholder Analysis.
• Kotter's 8 Step Change Model.
• Lewin's Change Model.
• Gantt Chart

Change management practices include

• Define clear goals.
• Be honest and transparent.
• Train and reassure your teams.
• Encourage conversations and communicate regularly.
• Listen to the employees.
• Bring your leaders on board.
• Choose the right communication tool.
• Empower your employees.