CLEVER MODULE 8 DISCUSSION

Prompt:
Discuss the role on an instructional leadership during the change process for
establishing learning communities, building capacity for change, and identifying positive
and negative forces that may influence the change process.

Response:
Instructional leaders express the vision to all stakeholders and persuade those
stakeholders to commit to seeking that vision. Because change is a process rather than a
one-time event, everyone involved needs to understand and be working toward the same
vision, and the instructional leader is responsible for ensuring this. Moving from the
current situation to the desired goals requires the leader to assess the present status,
discern where changes need to occur to bring the organization to the vision, and then
involve the others within the organization. Participatory decision-making should play a
role in determining what changes should take place and how to bring them to pass.
When others within the group are resistant to change, the capacity for change within the
organization must be strengthened before progress can be made. An instructional leader
needs to communicate effectively, secure support for the change, become proficient in the
new concepts, build a culture of trust, negotiate with special-interest groups, secure
approval from any relevant regulatory bodies, find necessary resources, and utilize
effective change strategies (Green, 2016, p. 243). These steps will help to build the
organization’s capacity for the desired changes.
Driving forces are ones that move the organization toward the change, and restraining
forces resist it. When these forces are in balance, an equilibrium is established and the
status quo is maintained. When either the driving or restraining forces gain more power
than the other side, change occurs. If resisting forces are significantly stronger than
driving forces, change will be very difficult. It is preferable to try to convert the
restraining forces into driving forces rather than to force change through by merely
strengthening driving forces. This can be accomplished by persuading resistant
individuals or groups to see a new perspective and to understand how the change will be
positive for the organization.

Prompt:
Identify positive and negative forces that influence the change process.

Response:
Positive, or driving, forces are ones that move toward the desired change. These could
include mandates from an administrative or regulatory body, evidence that the change
would be better than the status quo, or new circumstances that make the status quo no
CLEVER MODULE 8 DISCUSSION

longer desirable. Negative, or resisting, forces are forces that resist the desired change.
These could include special-interest groups which benefit from the status quo, beliefs that
the proposed change will be worse than the present situation, or a lack of resources to
effect the desired change.

Prompt:
Discuss strategies for implementing and sustaining the Change Initiative

Response:

Leaders can increase the success of a change initiative by empathizing with how the
changes may impact the others in the organization. By encouraging a culture of
respectful, open communication and of commitment to the same vision and objectives,
leaders can help others to approach change with determination and a positive attitude.

Open dialogue and ongoing assessment of the organizational environment are crucial; so
are exhibiting commitment to both task accomplishment and quality relationships.
Participatory decision-making can help others in the group to take ownership of the
adjustments and to embrace the change initiative. By involving stakeholders in the
change process and helping them to share the reasons for the change, leaders increase the
chances of successfully implementing and sustaining the desired initiative.