8 STEP MODEL

Introduction
As a leader of an organization you will often be involved in change. New processes, new business models, new customer requirements and new technologies will create forces for change in your business. To effectively manage change it is important to understand the eight step model.
Learning Materials
Kotter's Eight-Step Model for Leading Change
According to Kotter, organizational change is a multistep process rather than a single event. Kotter refers to this as the transformation process. It has several stages that build on one another, and it may take quite a long time. Those who lead change must follow an eight-step process to bring their organization through a successful transformation: * 1. Establish a sense of urgency. Leaders within an organization should work to inspire members to sense that change is necessary. Leaders should call upon members of the organization to cooperate and appeal to their shared values at this stage. * 2. Form a powerful guiding coalition. At this stage, leaders create a unified team of people who can lead the change effort. Leaders should choose members who have credibility and expertise in the eyes of employees. * 3. Create a vision and strategies for putting that vision into practice. A statement of vision for change should be easy for employees to understand. * 4. Communicate the vision. Leaders should communicate and reinforce the vision through daily activities and actions. * 5. Empower others to act on the vision. Employees must be encouraged to take risks and engage in nontraditional activities and ideas. * 6. Plan for and create short-term successes. The guiding coalition can help plan for and create short-term successes by setting concrete, achievable goals and mapping out clear ways to achieve them. * 7. Don't let up. Kotter cautions leaders not to let up when