Navigating Organizational Change

Health care managers play a pivotal role in facilitating organizational change. To support the organization’s viability—and be successful as a manager—it is critical to assess and respond effectively to the call for change. Yet, “even when managers intellectually understand the need for changes in the way they operate, they sometimes are emotionally unable to make the transition.” (Kotter & Schlesinger, 2008, p. 134) To prepare for this Application Assignment, consider the following questions: Why is change sometimes slow or difficult to enact in health care organizations? What aspects of the industry affect this? In what ways can organizational change be challenging for individuals? Why? What skills or dispositions are important to cultivate in the face of such prevalent change? Are these the same for people at all levels of an organization, or are there additional needs for managers? What experiences have you had with organizational change in the past? How would you evaluate yourself with regard to your ability to navigate change? What challenges have you encountered? Under what circumstances, if any, has change seemed easier? What insights about yourself can you surmise from the information presented in this week’s Learning Resources? For instance, what is your approach to innovation? What steps do you currently take to deal with “the anxiety of learning?” To complete this Application Assignment, write a 1- to 2-page paper that synthesizes your analysis, including the following: Skills or dispositions needed for navigating organizational change A self-evaluation of your approach to organizational change, based on previous experiences and insights related to information presented in the Week 3 Learning Resources Your written assignments must follow APA guidelines Resources Article: Bridges, W. (1986). Managing organizational transitions. Organizational Dynamics, 15(1), 2433. Retrieved from https://auth.waldenulibrary.org/ezpws.exe?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=4635880&site=ehost-live&scope=site This seminal article summarizes important information about this topic and poses questions for managers to consider. Its author, William Bridges, is well known for his work on transitions, including the impact they can have on organizations and the individuals working within them. Article: Kotter, J. P. (2007, January). Leading change: Why transformation efforts fail. Harvard Business Review, 85(1), 96103. Retrieved from https://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/detail?sid=42c434c2-ad55-43fd-b04a-7a741d2ae84e%40sessionmgr111&vid=1&hid=119&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=bth&AN=23363656 This article discusses errors commonly made as organizations undergo change and recommends steps leaders can take to help avoid them. Article: Coutu, D. L. (2002, March). The anxiety of learning. Harvard Business Review, 80(3), 100106. Retrieved from https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=6327081&site=ehost-live&scope=site This article presents a thought-provoking view on the anxiety associated with learning and its relationship to change. Article: Kello, J. (2006). Sociotechnical approach. In Encyclopedia of industrial and organizational psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Retrieved from https://www.sage-ereference.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/organizationalpsychology/Article_n309.html This article introduces the sociotechnical approach, which asserts that technical changes produce a profound effect on the social aspects of work. Article: Drucker, P. F. (2002, August). The discipline of innovation. Harvard Business Review, 80(8), 95103. Retrieved from https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=7157220&site=ehost-live&scope=site This article examines sources of innovation and considers the blend of creativity and hard work needed to produce innovative ideas that move a company forward. Article: Senge, P. M. (1999). Creative tension. Executive Excellence, 16(1), 1213. Retrieved fromhttps://auth.waldenulibrary.org/ezpws.exe?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=1469294&site=ehost-live&scope=site This article describes creative tension as a compelling force for change and provides strategies for leadership. Article: Bridges, W. (2009). The three questions. Retrieved from https://www.wmbridges.com/articles/article-three_questions.html Read through the resources on this website. Websites Clayton Christensen https://www.claytonchristensen.com This website provides a list of resources that you can view online under the “News” section. Select at least two articles to read. These articles are recommended: “How to Revive Health-Care Innovation,” “Disruptive Innovations That Will Change Your Life in Health Care,” and “Disruptive Innovation, Applied to Health Care.” If you have difficulty accessing this website, search the Walden Library for articles by Clayton Christensen. Optional Resources Article: Kotter, J. P., & Schlesinger, L. A. (2008, July/August). Choosing strategies for change. Harvard Business Review, 86(7/8), 130139. Retrieved from https://auth.waldenulibrary.org/ezpws.exe?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=32709007&site=ehost-live&scope=site Article: Yarbrough, A. K., Smith, T. B. (2007). Technology acceptance among physicians: A new take on TAM. Medical Care Research and Review, 64(6), 650-672. Retrieved from https://auth.waldenulibrary.org/ezpws.exe?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=32709007&site=ehost-live&scope=site Article: Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (n.d.). Improvement. Retrieved from https://www.ihi.org/knowledge/Pages/ImprovementStories/default.aspx Review this section of the IHI website for suggestions on how organizations can approach quality improvement efforts. Book: Bridges, W. (2003). Managing transitions: Making the most of change (2nd ed.). Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press.