The Job of Change
Episode Description
Studies put the failure rate of organizational change at 70% or higher. Yet, managers face increasing pressure to implement change to meet short- and long-term goals. Gregory P. Shea and Cassie A. Solomon share their approach to dealing with this challenge in Leading Successful Change: 8 Keys to Making Change Work. Jeff Klein, director of the Wharton Graduate Leadership Program, recently spoke with the authors about why we are not as good at change as we need to be, and how we can get better at it. 📂 Leadership
Brief Summary
Greg Sheay and Cassie Solomon discuss their book on effective organizational change, emphasizing environment design over individual motivation.
Key points
- The Lead Dog Myth. Exploring the misconception that change relies solely on leaders or followers.
- Designing for Change. Discussing how leaders can create environments that facilitate change.
- Sustaining Success. How successful organizations can proactively manage change before crises arise.
- The Burning Platform. Change driven by fear can lead to anxiety, which stifles creativity. Instead, focus on hope.
- Shaping the Environment. Organizational change requires shaping the environment to ensure people feel different.
- Seeing the World Differently. Understanding the framework allows you to apply it to various aspects of life.
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Episode highlights
- The Lead Dog MythExploring the misconception that change relies solely on leaders or followers.“Human beings are much better at adapting than being pushed into change.”4:01Jul 1, 2013
- Designing for ChangeDiscussing how leaders can create environments that facilitate change.“Becoming more of a designer of the environment.”7:27Jul 1, 2013
- Sustaining SuccessHow successful organizations can proactively manage change before crises arise.“You want to begin to move before the crisis hits.”16:52Jul 1, 2013
- The Burning PlatformChange driven by fear can lead to anxiety, which stifles creativity. Instead, focus on hope.“Anxiety up, intelligence down.”19:26Jul 1, 2013
- Shaping the EnvironmentOrganizational change requires shaping the environment to ensure people feel different.“You've changed enough when people experience they're in a different place.”21:40Jul 1, 2013
- Seeing the World DifferentlyUnderstanding the framework allows you to apply it to various aspects of life.“Once you learn to see the world this way, you can see the whole world this way.”23:24Jul 1, 2013
Tension
45/ 100Some tension





