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Case Study

Understanding and overcoming resistance to change

By Michael D. Watkins

7 pages

November 2023

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Reference: IMD-7-2506

In today’s turbulent business landscape, organizational change is imperative for survival and success. However, research reveals that 75% of transformations fall short of their objectives. The root causes of this failure are often human-centric, stemming from factors like fear of the unknown, loss of competence, identity, status, relationships, or purpose. To navigate these challenges, leaders should adopt seven fundamental change management principles. Clear communication, authentic engagement, fair processes, stakeholder support, training, rewiring the organization, and embodying the change are essential. Leaders play a pivotal role in addressing resistance and fostering a successful transformation. Understanding these barriers and principles is key to becoming an effective change leader.

Learning Objective

Understand the critical role of leadership in successful organizational change.
Identify common human barriers to change and their impact on transformation initiatives.
Learn the seven fundamental change management principles for leading change effectively.
Develop strategies for clear and transparent communication during change efforts.
Recognize the importance of authentic engagement, fair processes, and stakeholder support in driving change.

Keywords

General Management, Human Resources, Leadership, Organizational Behavior, Politics, Communication, Alliance, Organizational Politics, Power, Influence, Change, Geopolitics

Type

Generalized Experience

Available Languages

English

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