Change Introductionhrm 320week 1cindi Gillilandfull Clinical Professor ✓ Solved
Change Introduction HRM 320 Week 1 Cindi Gilliland Full Clinical Professor and Program Director, MSHRM Claremont Graduate University March 30, Agenda/ Overview Team Project Topics and Teams! Key concepts for this week: HR is in the midst of major change right now Fundamentals of change: reactive/proactive and evolutionary/revolutionary changes Resistance to change Grant: Are We Change Ready? Switch: Exploring three avenues for change Fundamentals of Change 5 Organization change can only occur through individual changes in your people Change involves unlearning something that is already practiced and part of your organization Change is often hard for people and evokes strong negative emotions Reactive vs.
Proactive Change Reactive Address Performance gaps in organization Doctor metaphor Diagnose symptoms of performance gaps Prescribe treatment in the form of change initiative Proactive Address Opportunity gaps in organization Entrepreneur metaphor Scan environment for opportunities Amass resources necessary to implement change 6 Evolutionary vs. Revolutionary Change Evolutionary Incremental adaptations to improve quality or service or reduce costs Can involve rapid cycle testing to quickly implement and evaluate ideas Revolutionary Dramatic change to realign organization’s strategy or capabilities Large, transformative changes to strategy, structure, processes, technologies, core competencies, or values 7 Sources of Resistance to Change 8 Uncertainty Lack of understanding and trust Differing perceptions of change Self-Interest Fear of actual obsolescence Difficult to change habits and routines Change Aversion Lack of tolerance for change Rejection of change solution Discussion: Changes in your world What types of changes have you experienced this year?
Reactive vs proactive Evolutionary vs revolutionary What sources of resistance are you experiencing/seeing? 9 Write down the words from this list that you personally most frequently associate with the idea of organizational change: Adjust Alter Ambiguity Anxiety Better Challenging Chance Concern Death Deteriorate Different Disruption Exciting Fear Fun Grow Improve Learn Modify New Opportunity Rebirth Replace Revise Stress Transfer Transition Uncertainty Upheaval Vary Sum the points for each of the words that you wrote down Adjust (0) Alter (0) Ambiguity (-1) Anxiety (-1) Better (+1) Challenging (+1) Chance (0) Concern (-1) Death (-1) Deteriorate (-1) Different (0) Disruption (-1) Exciting (+1) Fear (-1) Fun (+1) Grow (+1) Improve (+1) Learn (+1) Modify (0) New (+1) Opportunity (+1) Rebirth (+1) Replace (0) Revise (0) Stress (-1) Transfer (0) Transition (0) Uncertainty (-1) Upheaval (-1) Vary (0) Scores in the +5 to +10 range suggest strong support for the organizational change.
Scores in the +2 to +4 range suggest moderate support for the change. Scores in the -1 to +1 range suggest a willingness to comply with the change. Scores in the -2 to -4 range suggest moderate resistance to the change. Scores in the -5 to -10 range suggest strong resistance to the change. +10 🛑 💡 âš–ï¸ What’s your relationship to change? Why do you think you react to the idea of organizational change the way you do?
What might make organizational change easier for you? More difficult? How might organizations harness the enthusiasm of supporters to help promote change? What does it take to inspire commitment to change? [For the strong supporters] Are there dangers in being overly enthusiastic about change (e.g., high expectations)? 12 Conserver Prefers the known to the unknown.
Disciplined, detailed, deliberate and organized. Accept structure. Prefer gradual change. Pragmatist Prefers to explore the current situation in an objective manner. Reasonable, practical, agreeable and flexible.
Explore structure. Prefer change that best serves the function. Originator Prefers a faster, more radical approach to change. Unconventional, spontaneous; risk takers. Challenge the structure.
Prefer quicker, more expansive and radical change. Rider: Our rational side Provides analysis, direction, and long-term thinking Tends to over-analyze Elephant: Our emotional side Provides passion, energy, and intrinsic motivation Prefers instant gratification; tires easily Path: Our environment or situation Provides ease-of-movement, tools, and resources Constrains alternative movements What looks like resistance is often a lack of clarity. What looks like laziness is often exhaustion. What looks like a people problem is often a situation problem 13 How do we direct the rider, motivate the elephant, and shape the path? 14 Direct the Rider 1.
Find the bright spots Riders tend to focus on problems Reject solutions from other organizations “it won’t work here – we are different†Bright spots show solutions in your organization Instead of over-analyzing problems, study those who have found solutions Bright spots will also motivate elephant and highlight path 15 Direct the Rider 2. Point to the destination Paint picture of an attractive destination- a destination postcard Show their role in that destination Effective visions tap into emotions 16 Motivate the Elephant 3. Shrink the change Limit the investment you are asking people to make in the change Identify small wins that are meaningful and within reach Big success comes from a series of small changes Small wins also provide a script for the rider and highlight the path 17 Motivate the Elephant 4.
Grow your people Foster experimentation and learning – a growth mindset Competency mastery is intrinsically motivating Elephant must believe it is capable of conquering change 18 Shape the Path 5. Tweak the Environment Make the desirable behavior a bit easier and the undesirable behavior a little bit harder Don’t introduce a more complicated solution! Solution makes sense to the rider and does not get resistance from the elephant 19 Shape the Path 6. Build habits Habits allow us to move on autopilot Checklists help people develop habits Keystone habits are small changes that impact many other areas of life 20 Discussion: Techniques for HR Change Applied to Habit Project If you know the domain/area/topic of your personal change, think through how you would apply the Switch techniques: Which of the following techniques could you use to help facilitate this change?
Find the bright spots Point to the destination Shrink the change Tweak the environment Build habits Discuss in pairs or trios and help each other find ideas. 21 Workforce trends that will impact HR in 2021 Employers will shift from managing the employee experience to managing the life experience of their employees. The gender-wage gap will continue to increase even as employees return to the workplace. Flexibility will shift from location to time. Mental health and trauma support will expand.
Employers may “rent†or outsource talent to fill the skills gap. 22 Unit VI Journal Instructions Reflect on any presentations that you may have given in the past, and explain how you think Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 will help you in the future. Give a specific example of at least two features that you think will improve your presentation-making abilities. Your journal entry must be at least 200 words. No references or citations are necessary.
Unit VII Journal Instructions Thus far in the course, we have covered Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. In which program do you feel you are strongest? What do you think you could do to bolster your strength in the other programs? Your journal entry must be at least 200 words. No references or citations are necessary.
Unit VIII Journal Instructions Identify a task that you would need to perform in your current career or future career, and explain how you would apply the knowledge you have learned in this course to succeed at performing the task in a real-world scenario. Your journal entry must be at least 200 words. No references or citations are necessary. Unit VIII PowerPoint Presentation Instructions Your manager at work is extremely impressed with your computer skills since you took a computer course. The company is installing computers in its production facility, and she has asked you to create a brief PowerPoint presentation that shows tips for working in the new software.
Specifically, she wants the layout and topics for the presentation to be organized as shown below. Slide 1: Include a title slide. Slide 2: Describe the basics of computer software and what software does. Slides 3–4: Describe basic functions and techniques that will be used when creating and editing documents in Microsoft Word. Slides 5–6: Provide what you think are the top tips for creating aesthetically pleasing PowerPoint presentations.
Slide 7: Outline the basics of opening a blank workbook and using Formulas to work with data in Microsoft Excel. Slide 8: Discuss some basic features of Microsoft Access (e.g., tables, queries, forms) and how employees might utilize this software to track production. Slide 9: Include a reference slide. Not all of your information will be presented on the slides. You are required to use the Notes function to add information to further explain the material on your slides.
Your presentation must use at least one outside resource. Be sure to cite any sources used in the slides, and include a reference slide using proper APA formatting.
Paper for above instructions
Introduction
Organizations today operate in an environment characterized by rapid change and uncertainty. Change is inevitable and can arise from various internal or external factors, including market dynamics, technological advancements, socio-economic shifts, and evolving employee expectations. Understanding change management is vital for Human Resources (HR) professionals, as they play a pivotal role in navigating organizational transformations. Change can be reactive, addressing performance gaps, or proactive, focusing on opportunities for growth. It can be evolutionary, consisting of incremental adjustments, or revolutionary, involving transformative shifts (Gilliland, 2023). Importantly, organizational change also evokes mixed responses, ranging from resistance to enthusiasm. This paper will explore the concepts of change, classify types of change, identify sources of resistance, and discuss strategies for effectively managing change within organizations.
Types of Change and Their Implications
Organizational change can be conceptualized through two primary dimensions: the approach to change (reactive vs. proactive) and the magnitude of change (evolutionary vs. revolutionary).
1. Reactive Change involves addressing performance gaps within the organization. It is often likened to a medical metaphor, where symptoms of inefficiency are diagnosed and treated through specific change initiatives. For instance, an organization facing declining sales may implement a new marketing strategy, viewing it as a necessary corrective action to mitigate current issues (Kotter, 1996).
2. Proactive Change, on the other hand, seeks to capture opportunities rather than merely address existing problems. This entrepreneurial approach entails scanning the environment to identify trends and aligning resources to leverage them. An example could be a technology firm that invests in research and development to foster innovation before competitors catch up (Burke, 2017).
The other dimension, Evolutionary vs. Revolutionary Change, outlines the extent of the transformation.
- Evolutionary Change consists of incremental adaptations aimed at enhancing quality, service, or operational efficiency. Contentious processes, such as rapid cycle testing, allow organizations to implement and assess new ideas swiftly, reducing risk (Lewin, 1947).
- Conversely, Revolutionary Change entails substantial alterations in strategy, structure, processes, and technologies. It represents dramatic shifts that can realign an organization’s mission and vision. An instance of revolutionary change is when a traditional company embraces digitization, requiring substantial overhauls in operational frameworks (Armenakis & Bedeian, 1999).
Sources of Resistance to Change
Resistance to change is a common challenge organizations face during transitions. Understanding the underlying causes of this resistance is imperative for HR professionals aiming to foster an adaptive culture (Kotter & Schlesinger, 2008). Several sources of resistance may arise:
1. Uncertainty: Change often creates ambiguity. Employees may feel vulnerable about their roles, leading to a lack of trust in the motives behind the change.
2. Lack of Understanding: Many employees may not comprehend the purpose of the change, which can lead to skepticism and cynicism regarding its effectiveness.
3. Self-Interest: Individuals often resist changes that may threaten their job security or disrupt established routines.
4. Change Aversion: Some employees inherently prefer stability and are reluctant to embrace new procedures or technologies, leading to behavioral inertia (Oreg, 2006).
5. Fear of Obsolescence: With rapid technological advancements, employees may worry about their skills becoming outdated.
Strategies for Effective Change Management
To combat resistance to change, HR professionals can employ various strategies outlined in the "Switch" framework by Heath and Heath (2010). These techniques aim to direct the rational and emotional sides of individuals while shaping the environment for change.
1. Find the Bright Spots: Recognizing and highlighting successful instances of change can provide concrete examples that counter skepticism. Leaders should showcase departments or individuals who have thrived during transitions, inspiring confidence among others (Heath & Heath, 2010).
2. Point to the Destination: Creating a compelling vision for the future helps employees visualize the benefits of change. HR can articulate a clear roadmap that illustrates how transitions will improve work dynamics and lead to desired outcomes.
3. Shrink the Change: Large transformative changes can be overwhelming. By breaking down changes into smaller, more manageable tasks, organizations can provide “quick wins,” fostering a sense of accomplishment and momentum (Heath & Heath, 2010).
4. Tweak the Environment: Adjusting the workplace environment to facilitate desired behaviors can ease the transition. For example, simplifying new processes through clearer instructions or redesigning workflows can reduce friction in adopting change.
5. Build Habits: Establishing new habits can help employees embrace change more readily. Checklists, reminders, and structured onboarding processes can assist employees in adapting to new practices effectively (Duhigg, 2012).
Conclusion
Navigating organizational change is a multi-faceted challenge that requires thoughtful strategies and insights. By understanding the nature of change—whether reactive or proactive, evolutionary or revolutionary—HR professionals can tailor their approaches to facilitate smoother transitions. Identifying sources of resistance and employing specific strategies to motivate employees can empower organizations to embrace change rather than resist it. In an era marked by constant flux, the ability to adapt and lead through change will define successful organizations and foster resilience among employees.
References
1. Armenakis, A. A., & Bedeian, A. G. (1999). Organizational change: A review of theory and research in the 1990s. Journal of Management, 25(3), 293-315.
2. Burke, W. W. (2017). Organization Change: Theory and Practice. Sage Publications.
3. Duhigg, C. (2012). The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business. Random House.
4. Gilliland, C. (2023). Change Introduction HRM 320 Week 1. Claremont Graduate University.
5. Heath, C., & Heath, D. (2010). Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard. Broadway Books.
6. Kotter, J. P. (1996). Leading Change. Harvard Business Review Press.
7. Kotter, J. P., & Schlesinger, L. A. (2008). Choosing strategies for change. Harvard Business Review, 86(7-8), 130-139.
8. Lewin, K. (1947). Frontiers in group dynamics: Concept, method and reality in social science; social equilibria and social change. Human Relations, 1(1), 5-41.
9. Oreg, S. (2006). Resistance to change: Developing an individual differences measure. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(4), 680-692.
10. Rosenberg, J. (2017). The Future of Work: Attract New Talent, Build Better Leaders, and Create a Competitive Organization. Wiley.