Question

Chapter 10 in your eText discusses Kotter's (2007) eight-step change model. Which of these steps do you think is the most challenging? Which is most important? Give specific examples of how an organization either effectively navigated all 8 steps or alternatively, missed one of the steps and it led to change resistance or ineffective change.

Answer 1

The most important step is the third step which involves a vision creation for change. As the entire policy is dependent on this step and is made to establish the newly created vision. Thus, the vision building becomes integral to the success of the idea. If the vision is flawed, no matter how many efforts one puts in, the out come will always be inefficient.

The most difficult step is to empower vision. It is important to ensure all understand the vision and that all must work towards that vision even if their individual goals are not in line with it.

An example of a company that missed one step was McDonalds. It although wanting to maximise market share created a vision and goals accordingly which required an introduction of a much more varied menu with a lot of food options. Though this did not go well with the employees. McDonalds skipped the step of effective communication and by simply implementing the policy faced employee resistance. Bu not winning the employee confidence before implementation of policy, it failed to garner trust of employees and ended up with an ineffective change.