Presentation:

Level: Experienced    Topic Area: Emerging Trends, Innovative Ideas

"The Personalities of Change: Gender, Professional, Industry and Cultural Differences"

How can people respond so differently to the same change? Every individual has a unique preference for approaching and managing change. We will examine three change preferences and will discuss the characteristics that accompany each of three styles. Individual concerns, personalities and preferences must be considered in order to successfully implement organizational change initiatives. In addition to having personality-based preferences for change, we also believe there are four predictable stages of change that when used in conjunction with individual change style preferences, can greatly assist change agents in the successful implementation of change.

Participants will complete a self-scoring change style survey and will receive interpretation of the results. They will have an opportunity to reflect on a change initiative they have experienced, examine the impact of their change preference and recall their personal feelings during that initiative - from introduction of the change to implementation. They will then be introduced to a model that describes four stages all individuals go through during a significant change initiative. These two perspectives: unique style and predictable stages, will inform change agents of what is needed for individuals to not only accept change but to support successful implementation.

Key Takeaways:

1. Investigate the personal needs and preferences that define three change styles

2. Examine how effective leaders manage these differences

3. Reveal the origin of much of the resistance to change

4. Understand strategies for building support for organizational change initiatives