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The Science – and Neuroscience – of Change

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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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

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Sharpen your understanding of fundamental principles of organizational behavior to enhance your ability to influence and lead change effectively.

Browse courses on Organizational Behavior

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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

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Familiarize yourself with the fundamental principles and concepts of the Science of Change, setting the stage for effective change leadership.

View Successful Organizational Change: The Kotter... on Amazon

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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

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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

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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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Develop a Change Management Plan for a Specific Organizational Initiative

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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.

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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:

Reading list

We've selected 36 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Science – and Neuroscience – of Change.

Leading Change, With a New Preface by the Author

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Presents a step-by-step framework for leading organizational change. Kotter argues that change process that must be carefully planned and executed, and he provides practical advice on how to overcome the challenges of change. This book classic in the field of organizational change and is essential reading for anyone involved in leading change.

Leading Change, With a New Preface by the Author

Hardcover

Leading Change, With a New Preface by the Author

Kindle Edition

On Human Nature

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A treatise combining insights from human biology and genetics to examine the interface between nature and nurture in the human species. is excellent for understanding the biological side of human nature.

The Science – and Neuroscience – of Change

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Kotter's foundational insights on change neuroscience

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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