LDRS 612 - Leadership and Change (3 S. Hrs)

This course explores how high performance in organizations is related to ones
ability to adapt to changing internal and external needs. It will examine the
environmental, structural, and human dynamics of organizational change,
including factors bearing on organizational rigidity or flexibility. The role of
leaders in implementing collaborative change processes will be stressed along
with a study of strategies for involving others in the designing and execution of
change projects. The course will include an assessment of the student's own
orientation to change and style of change leadership. Successful completion of
the course will require designing and, normally, implementation and evaluation
of a significant change project in the student's own organization.

Course Objectives

This course is designed to help leaders:
1. Become aware of major trends and forces in contemporary society that
are creating the need for change.
2. Understand how flexibility and adaptation are essential to sustained
organizational performance.
3. Build understanding of the role of values in guiding change and of the
factors that contribute to success or failure of change efforts.
4. Understand their own personal style in responding to change and the
need to lead change.
5. Develop a personal philosophy of change and its management.
6. Gain competence in applying a variety of collaborative methods for
managing change.
7. Learn how to respond constructively to resistance to change.
8. Evaluate the results of change efforts as the basis for continuing,
successful operations.