Leadership and change management is not a new concept. Change management was first coined in the early 1900s, and within the past quarter-century companies have increased their focus in terms of the role change management plays in strong leadership.
Perhaps this focus is mostly due to the increase in technology and the ever-changing effects this technology has on companies across the globe.
Many leaders learn through trial and error how to lead effectively during change. Unfortunately, their learning curve can be at the expense of the organization. Employees can become easily upset, profits can drop, and a company can become disruptive (and not in a good way) in a matter of no time.
Therefore, the more focus leaders place on effective change management, the more positive results will follow from the inevitable change(s) within an organization.
Individual vs. Organizational Change Management
There are two main categories when discussing change management: individual and organizational. Realistically, there cannot be effective organizational change management without effective individual change management.
To understand individual and organizational change management better, you can think of a popular business example of a merger of two companies.
1. Individual Change Management
When two businesses decide to merge, it doesn’t just happen unexpectedly with no prior announcement to employees on both sides. Getting people on board and participating in the merger can mean the difference between success and failure. Successful individual change management would come from a leader who is openly communicating with employees about the future of the company, listens to concerns, answering all questions, etc.
2. Organizational Change Management
Organizational change management is the process and activities that project teams use to support successful individual change. In the example of a merger, project teams would already have a clear set of goals and actions to tell employees about the change. They may decide how much time in advance to tell employees, which meetings to plan moving forward, and how to touch base with employees after the merger.
As you can see, leadership and change management comes with a lot of tasks, and if a professional isn’t prepared to complete these tasks, then an organization will suffer. That’s why there are certain skills a person should have that make leading and change management possible.
Types of Change & Skills Required to Manage
According to Indeed, there are 3 main types of change that occur in an organization:
- Transitional change: changes that a company makes to change the way that it operates but maintain much of its current state.
- Transformational change: changes involve a complete overhaul of a company’s current operations.
- Developmental change: changes companies make to improve their existing operations.
To lead effectively during these difficult times, professionals should have a certain skill set. Examples of several leadership and change management skills include:
- Having expertise in leadership theories
- Being a resourceful and creative leader
- Communicating openly with employees about change
- Creating a foundation for effective and efficient changes
- Implementing business strategies that adapt to consumer needs
Once you’ve mastered these skills and understand the process of change management, then you can pursue top careers across different industries.
Leadership and Change Management Careers
Due to our rapidly changing environment, successful leaders need to know how to manage change with individuals and with organizations.
Common job titles for professionals who have experience with leadership and change management include:
- CEO, CMO or COO
- Director of Change Management
- Process Improvement Manager
- Change Management Consultant
These job titles hold much responsibility. If you desire to lead effective change within an organization, then one of these roles may interest you.
Play a Positive Role in Change Management
Our online Master in Business Administration (MBA) with a Leadership and Change Management specialization at Concordia University Chicago prepares professionals to lead no matter the amount of change within an organization.
You’ll gain the skills and experience needed to manage change on the individual and organizational level. If you want to drive the strategy to help a current or future employer navigate through complex transformations and challenging times then this may be the program for you.
Our 100% online MBA program is comprised of 12 courses plus the following four specialization courses:
- The Leader as Trainer, Mentor and Coach
- Leader Development: Cultivating, Sustaining and Renewing the Organization
- Leadership Communication and Decision Making
- Agents of Change
Check out our MBA with a Leadership and Change Management program overview page today, and become a positive presence in the eye of change in your present or future company for a lifetime.
