Section 13B - Managing Organizational Change

Question 1

Organizational ____ can be a complicated, often painful process.

Answer 1

Change.

Question 2

Who plays a key role in managing organizational change?

Answer 2

Senior enlisted leaders.

Question 3

Renowned social psychologist Kurt Lewin recommends leaders view change as a three-stage process. What are these stages?

Answer 3

1) Unfreezing; 2) changing; and 3) refreezing.

Question 4

What is organizational change?

Answer 4

An organization’s adoption of a new idea or behavior, establishing new norms.

Question 5

When managing organizational change, norms can fall into what four main categories?

Answer 5

1) technology - computers, test equipment, weapons systems, etc.; 2) tasks - general procedures, job steps, checklists, etc.; 3) structure - administrative procedures, evaluations system, etc.; and 4) people - technical or leadership training, new jobs, etc.

Question 6

When managing organizational change, when is change needed?

Answer 6

When there is a perceived gap between what the norms are and what they should be.

Question 7

Unfreezing is an organization’s deliberate ____ for change.

Answer 7

Preparation.

Question 8

The unfreezing stage of organizational change involves making Airmen understand the importance of change and how it will affect their jobs. (T/F)

Answer 8

True.

Question 9

When managing organizational change, how do leaders in the unfreezing stage generate a need in people to feel the effect of change?

Answer 9

By pointing out the problems or challenges with the current operations.

Question 10

Acceptance is usually the first reaction to organizational change. (T/F)

Answer 10

False. (Resistance is usually the first reaction.)

Question 11

What does a good organizational change plan allow change agents to do?

Answer 11

Anticipate problems, develop courses of actions and deal with resistance.

Question 12

What are the four most common forms of resistance to organizational change?

Answer 12

1) Uncertainty; 2) self-interests; 3) different perceptions or no felt need to change; and 4) over-determination.

Question 13

The structure of the organization may be a barrier to change. Why?

Answer 13

The structure may be so rigid as to inhibit change.

Question 14

What are five successful methods of managing and reducing resistance during organizational change?

Answer 14

1) Education and communication; 2) participation and involvement; 3) facilitation and support; 4) negotiation and agreement; and 5) coercion.

Question 15

Analyze the forces for and against organizational change; devise a ____ to deal with them, and then attend to the change itself.

Answer 15

Strategy.

Question 16

Organizational change must be implemented in sequential steps. Why is the first step important?

Answer 16

Its visible success may increase support for the rest.

Question 17

During organizational change, what improves the changes of success and decreases the likelihood of repeating the unfreezing process?

Answer 17

Careful planning.

Question 18

The second stage of organizational change (Changing) involves modifying technology, tasks, structures or distribution of people - anything that alters the ____ ____.

Answer 18

Status quo.

Question 19

What is the organizational change agent’s role in the changing stage?

Answer 19

To monitor the changes as it occurs (especially its effects on personnel).

Question 20

As an organizational change agent, how can you ensure your plan unfolds as intended?

Answer 20

Be there and deal with any problems that arise.

Question 21

During the changing stage of organizational change, provide ____ and offer encouragement and advice.

Answer 21

Support.

Question 22

During organizational change, never consider returning to the unfreezing stage. (T/F)

Answer 22

False. (Its better to regroup if the change isn’t going well.)

Question 23

What is the final stage in the organizational change process?

Answer 23

Refreezing.

Question 24

What is the goal of the refreezing stage of organizational change?

Answer 24

The desired outcomes and new norms are permanently locked into place.

Question 25

What do people often do during a change process without a refreezing stage?

Answer 25

Return to old ways. (Actively encouraging the use of new techniques and reinforcing them encourages others to use them as well.)

Question 26

Positively reinforce desired outcomes during organizational change by rewarding people to strengthen the correct behaviors. (T/F)

Answer 26

True.

Question 27

After evaluating the results of the changes in the organization, what actions should the change agent take if the change happens poorly?

Answer 27

Reinforce the desired outcomes and make constructive modifications.