Managing Change Flashcards
Stages of Change; Change Agents, and Approaches
What are the 4 Barrier to Change?
(identify)
- Employee Fear
- Resource Limitation
- Uncertainty
- Resistance to Change
A Barrier to Change
What is Employee Fear?
(describe)
- Losing their job –> improvments in tech = increase automation = reduce staff need
- Tech improves = staff feeling like they can’t keep up = fear of being behind
- Older employees = appearing like they have more energy –> keep up with younger employees = different approach taken
A Barrier to Change
What are Resource Limitations?
(describe)
- Lack of finance/machine/equipment/new tech = prevent change from happening
- Inverstors want move = different direction –> reasources there to do this
A Barrier to Change
What is Uncertainty?
(describe)
- Fear of unknown = stopping change happening
- Staying safe = doing what they know = lag behind competitors
A Barrier to Change
What is Resistance to Change?
(describe)
- Staff = reluctant to change = ensure employees buy into business –> if not change = fail
- Done by working with unions e.,g mentoring and traing aswell
Who created the 3 stage of change?
(identify)
Kurt Lewin
What are the 3 stage of change?
(identify)
- Unchanging
- Changing
- Refreezing
What is the Unfreezing stage?
(describe)
- Breaking down old/existing beliefs and assumptions = opeing a channel of acceptance
- Resistance = confronted –> historical policies could be challenged
What is the Changing stage?
(describe)
- Change is introduced e.g, culture changed - now accepting change = new policies and working practices implemented
What is Refreezing stage?
(describe)
- Consolidation phase = all policies and procedures are new embedded –> new-found stability
- Less conflict
- Achieving goals set
Is this a Benefit or Success to Change?
“Employees should feel supported and value change when the new system is understood”
Benefit
Is this a Benefit or Success to Change?
“Training in development”
Success
Is this a Benefit or Success to Change?
“Frequent communication e.,g face-to-face/group meetings, emails etc”
Success
Is this a Benefit or Success to Change?
“Good communication –> frequent check in’s and consultation –> this allows staff to ‘buy into’ the change”
Benefit
Is this a Benefit or Success to Change?
“Being a mentor to inexperienced staff”
Success
Role/Activites
What are Change Agents?
(7 bullet points made)
- External or internal –> person who helps to bring about/support change
- Key people
- Manges expectations of their collegues goals –> setting realistic ones
- Characteristics = charismatic, motiovational etc
- Expert in their field
- Work alongside managers
- Monitor and evaluate = giving appropriate feedback
What are the barriers faced by Change Agents?
(5 bullet points made)
- Lack of experience managing change = adress quickly to maintain staff confidence
- External change agent = ensuring a higher degree of skill, but staff can take time to accept
- Interal change agent = meet resistance from experienced staff
- Could breakdown established culture within the organisation
- Lack of resources e.,g funding = reduce in impact of proposed change
List the 5 Methods of Managing Change
- Action-centred
- Negotiated
- Participative
- Piecemeal inititives
- Top-down
What method of Managing Change is this:
“This approach is achieved when management decides what to do. Associated with an autocratic style. Usually used for large, one-off changes e.,g response to change in legilation”
Top-down
What method of Managing Change is this:
“Change can be implemented in a piecemeal fashion = small incremental changes made over time. Build confidnece as small steps = less risky. If a change needs to be reveresed it can be done before it was completed”
Piecemeal initiative
What method of Managing Change is this:
“The opposite to top-down, change is reached through bargaining between employees, employers and other stakeholders. A Democratic style would work well. Trade unions can be involved to make sure employees voices are being heard”
Negotiated
What method of Managing Change is this:
“Similar to negotiated - discussion is key between managers and employees who trust one another. Feeback used for problem solving so people are committed to implementing change. Motivation increase due to empowering employees to feel a part of the process”
Participative
What method of Managing Change is this:
“A practical approach which is driven by finding a solution. Once a problem is identified, possible solutions are discussed. Businesses can pilot a solutuion in a targeted small area or pilot an alternative till the solution is successful”
Action-centered
What is an Advantage and a Disadvantage of Action-centred
- Ad = Allows employees to pilot and have input on aspects of change = better decisions made
- Disad = Piloting ideas = lengthy and expensive
