HR Alignment
There are numerous examples of individuals leading change, whether political leaders such as a country’s president or leaders within organizations. Sometimes these individuals serve as positive role models for us, but sometimes they serve as more negative examples of how not to lead change. Either way, we can learn from watching them and taking note of both success and failures. In this Discussion, you will focus on the more positive role models. Sometimes good change leadership comes down to relatively few actions that are critical for gaining acceptance of the change and sustaining momentum.
Respond by Day 5 to two or more of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:
Ask a probing question.
Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings.
Offer and support an opinion.
Validate an idea with your own experience.
Make a suggestion.
Expand on your colleagues’ postings.
Classmate 1: (John)
“Leading Change
One of the most daunting change management initiatives that I have been a part of involved the move from an antiquated property management database/accounting system to a new one. This initiative involved rolling out the new platform to remote locations around the world. The person leading the change effort was the VP of customer service. She was a dynamic, positive, and charismatic leader. A person that everyone respected. I believe that she was successful in implementing this change because she made if very clear that she was the champion of this change. She began by explaining why the change was necessary and how, after the change was in place, we would find it as beneficial as she did. She then kept in touch every step of the way throughout the change process. She coordinated onsite training and even followed up with us personally to see if we were having difficulty. Her efforts made a very large and involved organization-wide change one that was very successful for those reasons.”
Classmate 2: (Clarke)
“HR Alignment
With all the many things happening in today’s world, people are becoming fed up with the older policies and teachings from generations in the past. Now has come at time in which people are calling for a change and not only speaking about change but taking the necessary steps to implement the change. One person doing so named Jaden Smith and a great group of members are taking things into their own hands. With Flint. Michigan not being able to receive clean water Jaden and his tea took it upon themselves to invent a water filtration system to provide them with clean water. The success of Jaden and his team has led them to drive business through economic and social change. By creating this new water structure, they have not only created a water-based revenue stream but also increases revenue for infrastructure repairs. Not only have they created a new water system, but they’ve remodeled old buildings, created new revenue streams and created a job opportunity that will continue to increase over time.
Implementing change isn’t a task that should be taken lightly. When taking these steps, one must possess certain qualities in order to be successful. One critical component of these would be effective communication. This involves developing different styles and modes of handling conversation and conflict while being able to recognize push back and offer the correct resolution. Aspirations energize and excite those affected by the proposed initiative’s outcome; definitions of behaviors communicate expected actions (Becker, Huselid, Ulrich, 2001). A second component would be accountability. This component relies heavily on action and taking the extra mile. It builds trust from peers and audiences while also improving a person’s performance. It also promotes ownership while inspiring confidence from a leader. The third component is empowerment. This quality is necessary when it applies to developing potential and increases the growth within their group of professionals and the outside audience. Someone who possess this component will be more likely to be a risk taker and potentially make mistakes from time to time but use those mistakes to develop their skill set.”
