Dangerous Opportunity Making Change Work

Rating:
Summary: A Practical, Useful GEM!
Review: As a Change Management Consultant, you can imagine I have a significant number of books on the topic of CHANGE. The fact is that most of these have been helpful, but, generally, say pretty much the same thing. This one is both informative and useful!

Over the 10 years I've been working with leaders leading change in organizations, one of the greatest struggles is helping people understand that not everyone sees "change" in the same light. Conflict eminates from each different perspectives challenging the status quo. These challenges tend to look like resistance to the change itself. Musselwhite effectively describes the Change Style Preference Model as a viable tool to understand individual dynamics during change. This change model quite simply, makes great sense; and models that are practical, ARE USED by people in organizations during change.

The Change Style Preferences described in chapter 3 shows how "Conservers" prefer incremental change; that "Originators" prefer change that is quick and expansive; and "Pragmatists" prefer change that is more practical and functional . All three styles exist in organizations and are needed to bring change about. The book provides descriptions, pitfalls and prescriptive remedies for each style advising that all three can be executed effectively or ineffectively. Part Three of the book helps us understand how to use the knowledge of Change Styles in ourselves and others to become more effective leading change. The advice about communication "needs" for each change style during the transition process, is most useful.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, many books on change say much of the same thing. This one does too.....but with an exceptional conclusion.....the "Discovery Learning Change Process Model" pulls together all that has gone before. What a gift! "Using What You've Learned to Lead Change"....chapter 12 is the "pearl" in this book and the tool that will help leaders lead change! A real gem of a book.