Page 234 - 4- Leading_from_Within

need through an organization-wide dialogue. Instead, their energy is often
spent crafting their message that announces the change. Very little effort
may be made to involve all the members of the organization in
understanding or agreeing with this need for change, how it will affect

them personally and professionally, and how it will be implemented. The
more that everyone is involved in looking at the options related to needed
change and in suggesting ways to do things differently, the easier it will be
to build the case for the next round of change.
228

The staff of the organization does not have the initial responsibility to drive

change in the organization. However, transformative change is not likely
to occur if the staff is not on board to embracing this change. According to
Ken Blanchard, the best way to initiate, implement, and sustain change is
to increase the level of influence and involvement from the people being
asked to change. Leaders must listen to the employees; people need to
229
feel that the approach to change will include their strong input and
ongoing involvement. As this process enfolds, the change leaders will
need to ensure that any employee concerns are brought forth and resolved
along the way. Resistance increases the more that people sense that they
cannot influence what is happening to them.

People who are left out of shaping change have a way of reminding us that

they are really important. Robert Lee

Facilitating Change

Organization leaders need to recognize that people in the organization are
likely to resist making major changes for a variety of reasons. These
include fear of the unknown, a feeling of inadequacy to deal with the

change, and whether the change will result in an adverse effect on their
jobs. People need to feel that their concerns are being heard. As was stated
earlier, leaders must widely communicate the need for the change and how
the change can be accomplished successfully. Sustainable organizational

228
Ken Blanchard, Leading at a Higher Level, Upper Saddle River NJ: FT Press, 2010, pp. 206.
229
Ken Blanchard, Leading at a Higher Level, Upper Saddle River NJ: FT Press, 2010, pp. 217.
David Kolzow 234