1. Read the article Choosing Strategies for Change

2. Write a paper about organizational change theory and its relationship to leadership.

3. The paper should be a synthesis of different theoretical change processes that you would use in designing an organizational change process. Choose one theoretical perspective on change and describe it in depth. Use it to articulate your personal philosophy of change leadership.

4. Like a literature review, it is not a summary of key articles but rather a synthesis of important ideas on a subject; this paper should include a synthesis of significant components of a successful change process. Include ideas about a specific change process such as one you might do at your current place of employment and that could serve as a guide for any leader considering a change project. You do not need to state what the author believes; what you write is understood to be what you believe.

5. At a minimum this paper should address the following questions or issues:

A. What is your definition of organizational change? You should specifically state that for the purpose of this paper organizational change is defined as . . .

B. Why is organizational change important to leadership? Are there talents, skills, or traits that are more important because leaders are frequently asked to lead change?

C. How does the concept of organizational change relate to and impact your philosophy of leadership? What are the essential elements of organizational change? Compare and contrast these theoretical prospectuses of change. How and why would you use them? Provide original thoughts and citations from other different research studies on change (processes not studied or mentioned in class).

D. Consider the goals of an organization with which you are associated. Evaluate the change needs of this organization. What would you do as a leader to create an effective organizational change process? Sift through the various change theories and decide on a process that you would use if you were asked to lead a change process to reach the goals set forth by the organization. Synthesize the key concepts; do not summarize individual theories.

E. Describe how you would assess the acceptance of your leadership in the change initiative and how you might need to adjust it depending on the buy-in of followers.

F. What role does organizational learning play in the change process? How do you assess the learning needs of an organization?

8. In short, describe a change process approach you could use in your own organization or an organization with which you are familiar.