Leading During Times of Change Course

Managing change, especially downsizing, is a complex process that involves an array of issues. Many organizations invest their efforts in helping the downsized employees move on, an admirable and ethical plan. However, more time and investment is needed for the employees who remain after the downsizing and layoffs, in other words, the workplace “survivors.”

The focus of this course is to provide leaders with a strong understanding of the change process, the salient emotional issues during times of change, their own reaction to change, and how to effectively deal with the survivor’s reaction to change.

The program offers participants the opportunity to:

> Understand the process of change
> Identify changes taking place in the organization and their reaction to them
> Learn how to manage the change process
> Recognize and manage their own reactions to change
> Recognize the psychological issues associated with change
> Learn techniques to help the survivors deal with the negative reactions to change

A Look Ourselves
Examining the change
How the change is affecting me
In this first section, we simulate conversation regarding their thoughts and feelings since the change was announced.  This gives participants opportunities to share their feelings without it becoming a “moan and groan” session.

Understanding the Change Process
Transitions
Begins by endings
Case study
The change theory is presented and participants begin to understand that change is a transitional process that begins with endings – letting go of the old ways.  A case study is used to illustrate the salient points.

Pitfalls and Blockers
Identification of dangers and concerns
Group discussion
Debrief and chart
In this section, participants identify immediate concerns they have in leading their team, department and survivors. The list of issues becomes the start of an action plan they can use with their team.

Understanding My Chaos
Change creates stress
How are they dealing with stress
Stress busters
Everyone in the organization is affected by a change.  Therefore, it is important that leaders recognize and deal with their own feelings during changing times.  In this section, participants examine how change creates stress and how stress affects one’s health.

Understanding the Survivors Chaos
The cycles
Reasons people resist change
Identifying distressful behavioral signs 
The four stages of a crisis
In this section, leaders examine how stress affects their associates.  Human behavior is reduced into a simplistic metaphor of the positive and negative cycles.  Participants gain an understanding on how basic human needs are negatively affected by change.  Additionally, participants learn to recognize distressful signs in their associates and explore four stages typically experienced during stressful times.

Dealing With Resistance
Process of Thought
Reframing
Reframing others
Associates negative reaction is often the most challenging for leaders.  Learning to “reframe” others becomes the key in dealing with change.  This reframing technique is the method in which people learn to manage/cope with the change and chaos in their lives.

Additional Tips
The 10 key strategies
Application and debrief
In this final section, 10 key strategies are introduced that enhance their ability to manage the change process.

Summary and Conclusion