Large-Scale Organizational Change: Look Before You Leap!
I am often asked, Should organizational change be done quickly or slowly over time? and Should management attempt large radical changes or small incremental changes? The safe answer is, It depends.
The literature on organizational change identifies two general types of changes: first-order change and second-order change. First-order change gets less attention because it is less dramatic. It is incremental and evolutionary in nature. We see first-order change today in organizations in the form of quality improvement programs (e.g., TQM or Six Sigma). First-order incremental change is also important after large-scale, organization-wide, second-order change.
Second-order change is discussed more often in management literature because it is dramatic, radical, and revolutionary. The very survival of the organization may depend on these changes. Examples of second-order change include interventions to create and implement a new corporate mission (or strategy) or to completely restructure the organizations hierarchy. Second-order changes occur rather infrequently, but they get the attention of many interested parties (customers, employees, suppliers, competitors, consultants, management authors, academics, investment analysts, the media, and communities of various kinds).
There is clearly a bias in the management literature toward big changes at high speed. John Kotter, the author of Leading Change, has stated, To change an organization successfully, you have to make big moves. No matter who you are, there is a tendency to want to take the ball forward only a couple of yards. But that doesnt work. You cant coax people into change.
Jack Welch, the former CEO of GE, said, Incremental nudges in a world thats moving in nanoseconds is absolutely not acceptable. Strike boldly when you believe in something. Take action and live with the consequences. If its right, soar with it; if its wrong, cut your losses and do something else.
While these comments, from two management-thought leaders, are inspiring, I would recommend that you look before you leap into these large-scale, second-order changes. Keep in mind that two out of three organizational transformation initiatives fail. Many organizations already have a poor track record with organizational change efforts. A poor track record will dampen organizational members hopes for success with current large-scale changes.
Also, remember that organizational change is a complex topic. A search on Amazon.com for books on management and change produces a list of over 6,000 titles. Each author has a distinct take on the subject.
I am not against large-scale changes, but they require an ongoing, visible commitment from senior management. Organizational leaders must devote considerable amounts of time to leading the initiative and encouraging the troops. Most senior leaders seriously underestimate the time required of them.
Before deciding on a large-scale organizational change, maybe you should look before you leap!
Dr. Mike Beitler is the author of "Strategic Organizational Change." Read 2 free chapters of the book right now at http://www.strategic-organizational-change.com/
Dealing with Value Crashes in the Marketplace - Nu Leadership Series
An intellectual is a man who takes more words than necessary to tell more than he knows.
Dwight D. EisenhowerWith fierce co...
Innovate Today for Great Leaps Forward Tomorrow
How often does your company make a quantum leap forward? My guess is that, on a scale from frequently (10) to never (1) th...
Understanding Symbolic Leadership - Nu Leadership Series
Too many leaders act as if the sheep... their people... are there for the benefit of the shepherd, not that the shepherd has...
Peek Inside The Heads of Amazingly Successful Leaders
Would you like to know what really goes on inside the heads of astoundingly successful leaders? Here is your chance. Part o...
Help Your Significant Other Get Into a Healthy Environment (Part 2)
Next, look at their organizational skills. If things are getting put away as they should be, then you are okay. However, if...
How to Better Understand Federal Leadership - Nu Leadership Series
Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution every...
Leader, Show Some Passion - Nu Leadership Series
A leader does not deserve the name unless he is willing occasionally to stand alone. rHenry A. KissingerDo you have an inspir...
Integrity as an Organizational Foundation - Nu Leadership Series
Wealth in the new regime flows directly from innovation, not optimization; that is, wealth is not gained by perfecting the kn...
Optimizing Organizational Culture as a Leader - Nu Leadership Series
An intellectual is a man who takes more words than necessary to tell more than he knows. r Dwight D. Eisenhower Has does an o...
Communicating Your Organizational Values: Maximizing Performance - Nu Leadership Series
There are no warlike people - just warlike leaders.
Ralph BuncheWhats the big deal about organizational values? Well, lets...
Market Mix Strategy for Mobile Oil Change Businesses Considered
In the mobile oil change business there are two primary sectors to consider when determining market mix. For instance there i...
Discovery of Organizational Culture for Leaders - Nu Leadership Series
Wealth in the new regime flows directly from innovation, not optimization; that is, wealth is not gained by perfecting the kn...
Leadership: Modeling Corporate Values - Nu Leadership Series
A skilled Transition Team leader will set the general goals for a Transition, and then confer on the other team leaders work...
Split Testing - The Most Powerful Marketing Strategy You will EVER Learn
Every business owner is looking for that golden marketing strategy that works like magic to grow their business. Well, I hope...
Analyzing the New Dynamics of Diverse Organizations - Nu Leadership Series
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. r Nelson Mandela As baby boomer workers...
Government Leadership: Getting to Understand the Real Deal - Nu Leadership
God always takes the simplest way.
Albert EinsteinLets explore leadership in the government sector. Please dont laugh. Im se...
Leadership Development
In performing leadership functions, managers sometimes make attempts to change over from one leadership style to another with...
Leadership Formulas
Do we really believe outstanding leadership is so simple that we can boil it down to a simple formula? Could any single formu...
Leadership Skill: What is Your LQ: Leadership Quotient?
The unexamined life is not worth living. PlatoAs the New Year approaches, Id like to recommend taking a brief moment of paus...
Abstract Thought; Business Strategies and Biological Systems
To stop a computer virus you must understand how it works, grows and what its innate purpose is? What is its program, evoluti...