Leading transformations: Manage change from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Re-imagining change 1: The change problem

‘We can’t solve a problem with the same type of thinking that we used in creating it.’ –– Albert Einstein Einstein was onto something! Traditional approaches to change management try to solve the problem of change by using the same tools that created the problem in the first place. They provide you with designs to implement designs and strategies for executing strategies. This week you will discover the importance of stepping outside the box of conventional change management, colour in the white spaces in the organisation chart, and navigate the messy and choppy waters of the change journey. You will critically analyse the nature and origins of the failure rate of change initiatives, examine how and why modern organisations systematically mislead change and learn what an alternative approach involves.

Re-imagining change 2: Icebergs & death valleys

‘Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire.’ –– W.B.Yeats. You already have the knowledge necessary to manage change in your head, your heart and your hands. This knowledge is embedded in the cultural images and counter-images of what managing change involves. This week will help you appreciate the degree to which this is the case and get out of your own way in applying what, in a sense, you already know.

Creating a change cycle 1: Maps & orientation

‘The Map is not the territory.’ –– Alfred Korzybski. If change is a journey, what type of journey is it? And what do we need to guide us along the way? This week will provide you with the tools necessary to map out the path you need to take and revise this map along the way. You will learn how to apply the three key mapping tools: ‘gap analysis’; ‘forcefield analysis’ and ‘route analysis’. In combination, these three provide you with a GPS for navigating the complex and often treacherous journey of change.

Creating a change cycle 2: Masks & performance

‘All the world’s a stage, and we are but players on it.’ –– William Shakespeare. Knowing what to do to manage change is one thing. Knowing how to do it is another. While the route map outlines what you need to do, you have to decide how to do it, in context and with other people. How change plans are executed is always a performance, the artful exercise of influence in time, in space and in conditions that are often not of our choosing. This week you will discover the performances you will have to give, the masks you will be required to wear, the tensions and dilemmas you will encounter, and why influencing yourself is central to your ability to influence others.

Creating a change cycle 3: Mirrors & reflection

‘Life is lived forwards but understood backwards.’ –– Soren Kierkegaard. Leaders of change initiatives are not only faced with known unknowns but also unknown unknowns. Uncertainty is endemic, complexity is unavoidable, and denial is widespread. In such contexts, how do you evaluate your progress, and adjust your course, before it is too late? How do you create early warning signals? This week you will discover the value of experimentation and evaluation, examine and critically analyse methods for monitoring intellectual, emotional and practical capabilities and progress (the head, hand and heart), and learn how to create effective and practical learning spaces within change initiatives.

Leading change: Mindful & mobilising

‘There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.’ –– Leonard Cohen. While the principles underlying the change cycle are widely recognised, they are often not applied and put in place. There is never enough knowledge and never enough resources to do what individuals and organisations know needs to be done. This week you will explore the leadership, practice, and power gaps that underlie these problems, and discover and examine how leaders mind these gaps and mobilise energy and resources to overcome them.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the importance of thinking differently about change management

Develops a 'change mindset' for learners

Depicts change as a journey rather than a problem

Provides tools for creating a custom change roadmap

Explores the concept of reflective change management

Teaches students how to manage change effectively

Reviews summary

Accelerated change management

learners say this course offers a refreshing perspective on implementing change in organizations. It uses engaging assignments and real-world examples to help you develop change management skills for real-world application. The course is well-received by students and is an excellent choice for those seeking to improve their change leadership abilities.

Students find the course inspiring and thought-provoking, providing them with new perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose in their change management roles.

"Really inspirational, gives huge amount of food for thought! "

"I really find the course very useful. Will definitely apply the tools that I learnt in the course."

The course emphasizes the importance of the right mindset for leading change, encouraging students to embrace uncertainty and view change as an opportunity for growth.

"The course enables me to understand change management and gain different perspectives to influence others. I highly recommend taking this course."

"It was a great course to learn about leadership. It shows new skills leaders must develop to become a true and efficient leader, to break the wall of just inspiring and actually getting things done."

The course moves beyond basic change management, focusing on the leadership skills and qualities needed to drive change successfully.

"This is not your typical Change Management course. This is meant for people who truly want to deliver effective change and to transform organizations effectively."

"Excellent course. Accepting and leading change is the mandatory aspect . All key aspects are covererd in this course"

Students appreciate the 5M change management framework (mindset, mobilizing, maps, masks, mirrors), which is a novel and memorable way to guide change.

"the 5M change mangement framework - mindfulness, mobilizing, map, mask and mirror - provides a different but easy to remember guide."

"I learned a lot of method and tools that can be used for change management process"

While the course is generally well-received, some students find it challenging, as it requires a deep understanding of organizational dynamics and change management principles.

"The course itself is quite educative and inspiring. However I found the course to be too long and lost interest towards the end."

"Nice academical sources with high level explanations.In my point of view, the described concrete tools / methodologies are not detailed enough for a specialist dealing with change management. It is nevertheless good enough for beginners."

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 Leading transformations: Manage change with these activities:

Review the principles of change management

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Review the key principles and models of change management to refresh your understanding and prepare for the course.

Browse courses on Change Management

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Read an article or chapter on the change cycle
Create a mind map of the key principles of change management
Identify a past change initiative and analyze its success or failure

Review time management skills

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Review the basics of time management, including planning, prioritizing, and scheduling, to improve your ability to manage change effectively.

Browse courses on Time Management

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Read an article or book on time management techniques
Create a to-do list and prioritize tasks
Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks

Complete practice exercises on change management frameworks

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Reinforce your understanding of change management frameworks by completing exercises and simulations that apply these models to real-world scenarios.

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Complete a simulation using Kotter's 8-Step Process
Analyze a case study and apply Lewin's Change Model to the situation
Create a plan for implementing change using the ADKAR Model

Three other activities

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Complete online tutorials on the latest change management tools and techniques

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Expand your knowledge and skills by exploring the latest tools and techniques for change management through online tutorials.

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Enroll in an online tutorial on stakeholder engagement strategies
Complete a course on using a specific change management tool
Attend a webinar on best practices for managing resistance to change

Create a blog post or video on a specific aspect of change management

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Deepen your understanding and solidify your learnings by creating a piece of content that shares your insights and perspectives on a topic related to change management.

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Choose a specific aspect of change management to focus on
Research and gather information on the topic
Write a blog post or create a video that presents your insights

Mentor other students or professionals on change management concepts

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Reinforce your learning and contribute to the community by sharing your knowledge and experience with others who are interested in change management.

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Join an online community or forum related to change management
Offer to answer questions and provide guidance to other members
Consider mentoring a junior colleague or student on a change management project

Career center

Learners who complete Leading transformations: Manage change will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Change Management Consultant

Change Management Consultants help organizations navigate and implement change initiatives. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a comprehensive overview of the change management process, from planning and implementation to evaluation and monitoring.

See salaries and explore the career path for Change Management Consultant

Organizational Development Manager

Organizational Development Managers are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to improve organizational effectiveness. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a strong foundation in change management principles and practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Development Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing out projects. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a strong foundation in change management principles and practices, which are essential for successful project management.

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Learning and Development Manager

Learning and Development Managers are responsible for designing and delivering training programs to employees. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a strong foundation in change management principles and practices, which are essential for developing effective training programs.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a strong foundation in change management principles and practices, which are essential for successful business analysis.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources function of an organization. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a strong foundation in change management principles and practices, which are essential for successful human resources management.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of topics, including change management. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a strong foundation in change management principles and practices, which are essential for successful consulting.

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Trainer

Trainers design and deliver training programs to employees. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a strong foundation in change management principles and practices, which are essential for successful training.

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Facilitator

Facilitators lead group discussions and workshops. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a strong foundation in change management principles and practices, which are essential for successful facilitation.

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Executive Coach

Executive Coaches help executives and other leaders develop their leadership skills and achieve their goals. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a strong foundation in change management principles and practices, which are essential for successful executive coaching.

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Change Agent

Change Agents are responsible for leading and managing change initiatives within organizations. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a comprehensive overview of the change management process, from planning and implementation to evaluation and monitoring.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning and executing the day-to-day operations of an organization. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a strong foundation in change management principles and practices, which are essential for successful operations management.

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Innovation Manager

Innovation Managers are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to drive innovation within organizations. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a strong foundation in change management principles and practices, which are essential for successful innovation management.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sales strategies to generate revenue. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a strong foundation in change management principles and practices, which are essential for successful sales management.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies to promote products and services. This course may be useful for someone who wants to enter this field as it provides a strong foundation in change management principles and practices, which are essential for successful marketing.

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