week 6 discussion 2

Resistance to Change (graded)

When Jorge Maldonado became general manager of the local civic recreation center, he realized that many changes would be necessary to make the facility a true community resource. Having the benefit of a new bond issue, the center had the funds for new equipment and expanded programming. All he needed to do now was get the staff committed to the new initiatives. Unfortunately, his efforts have been met with considerable resistance to change. A typical staff comment is, “Why do we need all these extras? Everything is fine as it is.” How can Jorge deal with the employees’ resistance to change, to enable him to move the change process along? Hello Professor and Classmates: In organizations, resistance to change is an attitude that indicates unwillingness to support a desired modification.  Jorge Maldonado, the GM views this resistance as something he has to overcome with his staff at the local civic recreation center in order for change to be successful.  Leaders must recognize that the resistance is to recognize when people resist change, they are defending something that s improtant to them that appears to be threatened.  The staff might be threatened about having to put in more hours of work due to the expanded programming.  People resist change due to fear of the unknown, insecurity, lack of a felt need to change, threat to vested threats, contrasting interpretations, and lack of resources.  The staff might wonder whether the new equipment would get rid of them.  To minimize resistance in such cases, Jorge Maldonado, the leader should make sure that everyone who may be affected by a change knows how it satisfies the following critieria. Benefit - the change should have a clear advantage for the people being asked to change; it should be perceived as "a better way." Compatibility - the change should be as compatible as possible with the existing values and experiences of the people being asked to change. Complexity - the change should be no more complex than necessary; it must be as easy as possible for people to understand and use. Triability - the change should be something that people can try on a step-by-step basis and make adjustments as things progress. Jorge needs to communicate that as part of the funding use generated by the bonds, new equipment and expanded programming are to be introduced to make the facility a true community resource.  Through education and communication, the staff will feel committed on how fortunate they are to get funding for their company.  Jorge should hold a caucus for the staff to participate and get involved so that their commitment to public service would be renewed.