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Dr. Vanessa Akhtar

Join Kotter and take the first steps along your learning journey into the Science of Change, beginning with our understanding of human nature and our response to threats and opportunities and the limitations of traditional organizational structures.

Based on 50 years of empirical research into the Science of Change and our latest insights from our firm’s consulting work, Kotter is making change leadership more accessible than ever before with four new courses introducing learners to our methodologies and tools for successful organizational transformations.

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Join Kotter and take the first steps along your learning journey into the Science of Change, beginning with our understanding of human nature and our response to threats and opportunities and the limitations of traditional organizational structures.

Based on 50 years of empirical research into the Science of Change and our latest insights from our firm’s consulting work, Kotter is making change leadership more accessible than ever before with four new courses introducing learners to our methodologies and tools for successful organizational transformations.

In this introductory course (the first of a four course series on change leadership), you’ll learn about the three elements of the Science of Change:

1. Human nature, including human hardwiring and how the Survive and Thrive channels impact whether we embrace or resist change

2. The design and limitations of the modern organization

3. Proven strategies and principles for leading change

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introducing the Science – and Neuroscience – of Change
Begin your journey by orienting around the fundamentals of Kotter's change methodology.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces the Science – and Neuroscience – of Change
Develops scientifically proven strategies for leading change
Taught by Dr. Vanessa Akhtar
Part of a four course series on change leadership
Requires no formal prerequisites

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Reviews summary

Kotter's foundational insights on change neuroscience

According to students, "The Science – and Neuroscience – of Change" offers a largely positive and transformative introduction to leading organizational change. Learners frequently praise Dr. Kotter's unparalleled insights and the course's ability to bridge neuroscience with practical strategies. Many found the 'Survive and Thrive' framework particularly insightful and immediately applicable to their professional roles. While the lectures are clear and engaging, a few students noted that the neuroscience depth could be greater or that more practical exercises would enhance the learning experience. Overall, it serves as an excellent foundational course, setting the stage for the rest of the series.
The instructor presents concepts clearly and engagingly.
"The lectures were clear and engaging..."
"The instructor is engaging and the pace is perfect. I learned a lot."
"The concepts are very well presented."
Serves as a strong introduction to the change leadership series.
"Definitely a strong start to the series."
"Excellent introduction to change leadership. I'm excited to take the rest of the series."
"I think it serves as a solid foundation for the series, but it doesn't stand alone as a comprehensive guide to change leadership."
Concepts are immediately useful for professionals and managers.
"I found the concepts of 'Survive and Thrive' immediately applicable to my team."
"The strategies are useful for managers."
"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."
Provides a transformative understanding of change leadership.
"This course was truly transformative! The way Dr. Kotter explains the neuroscience behind human behavior in change is simply brilliant."
"A must-have for anyone leading change. Kotter's insights are unparalleled."
"Absolutely brilliant! The course clarified many misconceptions I had about leading change."
A few learners wished for more hands-on assignments or case studies.
"The course is okay, but I expected more practical exercises or case studies."
"It felt a bit theoretical at times."
"I struggled to see how to implement some of the ideas directly in my work without more guidance."
Some learners desired more scientific rigor in neuroscience topics.
"While the neuroscience part was interesting, I felt it could have gone a bit deeper for someone with a scientific background."
"Disappointed. I found the neuroscience aspect to be quite superficial, mostly buzzwords rather than deep scientific explanation."
"If you're looking for genuine neuroscience, this isn't it. It's more about Kotter's general change principles..."
"The neuroscience explanations, even if high-level, provided a compelling 'why' behind the strategies."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Science – and Neuroscience – of Change with these activities:
Review Basic Principles of Organizational Behavior
Sharpen your understanding of fundamental principles of organizational behavior to enhance your ability to influence and lead change effectively.
Browse courses on Organizational Behavior
Show steps
  • Review key concepts such as motivation, group dynamics, and leadership styles
  • Consider how these principles apply to the context of change management
Review The Science of Change by Kotter
Familiarize yourself with the fundamental principles and concepts of the Science of Change, setting the stage for effective change leadership.
Show steps
  • Read the first three chapters of the book
  • Take notes on the key concepts and frameworks introduced
  • Reflect on how these concepts apply to your own experiences
Analyze Case Studies of Successful Organizational Transformations
Deepen your understanding of change leadership by studying real-world examples and identifying the strategies and approaches that led to successful organizational transformations.
Browse courses on Case Study Analysis
Show steps
  • Select a range of case studies representing different industries and change initiatives
  • Review and analyze the key events and decisions that shaped the outcomes
  • Identify patterns and best practices in change management
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies and techniques
One other activity
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Show all four activities
Develop a Change Management Plan for a Specific Organizational Initiative
Apply your knowledge and skills to create a comprehensive plan that outlines the steps, timelines, and resources required to successfully implement a specific change initiative within your organization.
Show steps
  • Define the scope and objectives of the change initiative
  • Assess the current state and identify areas for improvement
  • Develop a detailed action plan outlining key milestones and responsibilities
  • Identify potential risks and challenges and develop mitigation strategies

Career center

Learners who complete The Science – and Neuroscience – of Change will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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