Principles of Management - Week # 14

Chapter 16 - Change, Conflict and Negociation

On this chapter we have discussed the following issues: - Four types of organizational change. - How people respond differently to changes they like and dislike. - Six reasons why employees resist change and what management can do about resistance to change. - Conflicts and conflict resolution techniques. - The elements of effective negociation. - The advantage of added value negociation. Some personal thoughts ....... How do employees tend to respond (differently) to changes they like versus changes they dislike and fear ? When employees have to deal with changes they LIKE - they might express unrealistic optimism, and face a reality shock later on, that might cause they to give up. When employees have to deal with changes they DISLIKE - they might reject the change assuming it does not make sense . they might laugh it off and not take it seriously. They might develop self doubt or they might agree to give it a try, while adopting a constructive approach. So how would you create a climate of change that employees will like? There are several ways for a manager to create a climate of change that employees will like and they all involve implementation of contingency approach : - Encourage enthusiasm and direct attention to potential problems and ways to deal with them. - Listen to negative feelings and be supportive while neutralizing unreasonable fears. - Set long term goals and encourage involvement, provide positive feedbacks for acheivements. - Set an example, a role model, for employees. - Encourage looking forward to a better future and letting go of the past.

"participation is the only way to get people to accept workplace changes"

I agree with above statement. I think that an employee learns best when thrown to deep water. I know it worked on me, I know it worked on others. Most people (employees) fear of the unknown, and getting involved allows them to familiarize themselves with the changes, thus providing a feel on "being in control". It eliminates fears and increases confidence. Recommended books on this subject : Who moved my cheese ? - by author Spencer Johnson. A Story about characters dealing with change. Who Moved My Cheese? provides inspirational guidance to those suffering job loss, downsizing, divorce, or altered life situations. It's message, to seek out new opportunities, makes the reader, faced with change, want to quit the "It's-not-fair" hand-wringing and seek opportunity. Who Moved My Cheese? provides a simple, powerful message to the person confronted with unwelcome change