15 - Managing strategic change - the people dynamic

Question 1

4 learning outcomes - chapter 15

Answer 1

• understand the need for effective change leadership
• consider the role and purpose of a change agent
• demonstrate the use of the ‘Johari window’ to identify communication breakdown
• understand the nature of human resistance to change, and demonstrate how different researchers have provided tools to help us deal with this.

Question 2

Two types of change leadership

Answer 2

Transformational
Transactional

Question 3

Define transformational leadership

Answer 3

Leader focuses on building vision, creation of identity and empowerment and development of culture. Impact of key individual is clear to see, as is the gap created when that driving force leaves organisation

Question 4

Define transactional leadership

Answer 4

More concerned with making sure operational flow is appropriate to enable strategy to be achieved.
Transaction = motivation of followers by exchanging reward for performance

Question 5

What does leadership of strategic change require?

Answer 5

Combination of transformational and transactional - leader needs to use range of styles
Transactional think day-to-day or week-to-week
Transformational think more governance/long-term

Question 6

Communication & managing change

Answer 6

Communication is an essential part of managing strategic change as soon as more than one person is involved - there needs to be a consideration as to how a message is best communicated

Question 7

Communication as a two-way process - what are the two:

Answer 7

Transmitter and receiver - different message will be transmitted than received as listener creates their own interpretation of meaning

Question 8

Johari window - purpose

Answer 8

Helps us identify, consider and challenge where the disconnect happens in our communication with others

Question 9

Johari window diagram - explain

Answer 9

Left column - known by self
Right column - unknown by self

Top row - known by others
Bottom row - unknown by others

Top left - Arena
Top right - Blind spot
Bottom left - Facade
Bottom right - Unknown

Companies want to ensure as much information as possible is in arena area, and as little as possible in unknown (this depends on where window bars are palced on diagram)

Question 10

Johari window - Arena

Answer 10

Open communication between all individuals concerned, allowing for open challenge

Question 11

Johari window - Blind spot

Answer 11

We need to seek additional knowledge to aid our understanding and anable better communication

Question 12

Johari window - Facade

Answer 12

We, as communicator can dominate decision making and abuse power - we should help others understand better to enable better communication

Question 13

Johari window - Unknown

Answer 13

All parties have limited or no real knowledge- high risk of incorrect decision-making

Question 14

8 methods for managing change

Answer 14

Education (to foster readiness to accept process)
Participation (in the change)
Facilitation (communication)
Support (for the change)
Ownership (as a result of inclusion within process)
Negotiation (identify benefits to be gained by getting involved)
Force (insist on adhering to change)
Manipulation and coercion (by not providing all the facts or making the change look better than it is)

Question 15

Two different types of resistance

Answer 15

Explicit & overt

Implicit, subtle and deferred

Question 16

Explicit and overt resistance - pro and con

Answer 16

Pro - rights and wrongs can be debated and solution can be found

Con - threat of strike by workforce if demands not met

Question 17

Implicit, subtle and deferred resistance - pro and con

Answer 17

Pro - likely that change will be implemented

Con - underlying issues could cause longer-term org damage, through reduced motivation, efficiency, risk of mistakes etc.

Question 18

What is often a cause of lack of motivation, efficiency, etc.?

Answer 18

Poorly managed change / poorly implemented strategy

Question 19

Kubler-Ross 5 stages of grief

Answer 19

Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance