Creative Curmudgeonry " Case Study 7 . I we go to this ' now way 146 theans could possibly have anything to do with the effective, efficient, and fair administration will increase the workload The organization's mission, He recognized that his staff members, including Sharon Hernorder budget just simply can't affe were younger workers, but he viewed them as "learners and mentees" rather than as advisors cogovernors . Jason did not lead an Isolated life untouched by the changes associated with the arrival of ity digital age, but he equated most new technologies with passing fads, a loss of managerial control the introduction of alienation, and a loss of face-to-face interactions. He knew that management What are the implicat change; he himself felt most comfortables media in the delivery had everything to do with either encouraging or impeding chan and salished with the familiar. Jason stated, "We already have a ave a website where our information ; and products? Please posted for the public to read. We can't do every cockamamy thing just because it is be What are some of the someplace else. Tried and true' is my motto. Most of these new electronic discoveries just bring 2 Can you envision requ How would such an along problems!" The meeting seemed to die as those in attendance marched through the remaining agenda items in a routine, standardized, and mundane manner. Items were placed before the group, little discussion levels? Please explain was raised, Joson commented, and then he said what would be done. Most assuredly, the message If you were Sharon had been sent to the group that if you have a vision of what might be possible, keep it to yourself 3 pressures to bear on "The only good ideas, " one department head noted, "belong lock, stock, and barrel to Jason, and jectives, If you would In never lets us forget it." would be preferable When Jason selumed to his office, he knew full well that he had squashed the discussion on using social media or other technological innovations, and that was fine with him. He also soon remen beled, however, a speech given by a successful entrepreneur at the Society for Hur for Human Resource Mar agement (SHRM), who pointed out that rigidity, apathy, custom, habit, fear of uncertainty, and fear of losing power, status, and control were some of the factors associated with resistance to change, poor organizational performance, and failure to thrive. 1 Adapted from E-Gov This was a very difficult time for Jason. He was, as he often joked with his best friends, of the "milight of a rather mediocre career, " and he knew that, in some sense, the world had passed him by- especially the world of lechnology, digitization, computerization, and miniaturization. He lek pressured to keep up with his profession, but he also had a rather complicated feeling that the profes: sion had abandoned him and did not really serve his personal outlook, interests, or goals. As Jason paced around in the comfort of his office, he periodically paused and rearranged sort of the material on his office shelves. He wondered when the social media fad would pass, As he pondered the notions that had been put forth by Sharon Hernandez, it became clear to him that the world of work was now quite different from what it had been like when he entered the workforce carly thirty years earlier. Now Jason mumbled out loud, "How does one go about dealing with a changing workplace, technology, and daily set of management concerns and at the same time meet he needs of our clients and deliver our programs?" He caught himself answering his own question if nearly audible tones and then mused, "Am I obsolete or what?" Several weeks later, Jason raised his head at the water cooler in the main hallway at Potlawat amle Mental Health Care He could hear footsteps rapidly coming toward him, and as he looked over his shoulder, he heard Sharon Hernandez call out his name. Abruptly standing up, he quickly lined and asked her how her day was going. Sharon responded by exchanging the obligatory pleasantles, and then she said, 'Mr. Malone, have you seen the new study that was recently con unrestricted funding." ducted by the International Management Association on electronic media?" And before he could respond, she enthusiastically reported, "Nearly 48 percent of the organizations surveyed say that slaksholder conlad has increased since they initiated social media, and 97 percent finan Wowed by her assertiveness, Jason relorled, "Why are you so personally interested in this social avadi craze? Don't you realize that we are already strapped with the programs we finance it with s we are deliveringCase Study 7 CASE STUDY 7