Thus far this week’s posts have been devoted to examining change. Let’s continue that trend by studying yet another theory. As you consider your role in change, contemplate the different parts of the formula below.
Beckhard (1969) explained the challenges of organizational change in terms of his D • V • F > R formula. D refers to the dissatisfaction with the way things are. This is the first step to initiating any kind of change. If people are happy with the way that things are, there is no need for change. V refers to a vision. Having a clear and shared vision is crucial to creating change. Without it, there’s no clear goals and subgroups of people will likely define their own separate visions. Pursuing such different visions is time consuming and wasteful, and never results in successful change. The F in Beckhard’s formula refers to the development of first steps that will lead towards change. This is an important part of keeping the momentum and getting things moving in the right direction. Being able to define smaller goals within a vision allows for more frequent achievements on the way to the big picture. This provides a sense of accomplishment, giving people hope and encouragement. Finally, Beckhard addresses people’s resistance to change – the R. Resistance is a natural part of change. People would rather stay with that which is familiar and comfortable. It takes the combination of dissatisfactions, clear vision, and first steps to help move beyond resistance and facilitate successful change.
So, what’s your role in each one of Beckhard’s stages? How can you help others to see that things aren’t what they should or could be? Do you have a vision? How can you most effectively convey it to your employees? What’s your plan for change? What steps will you and your team take? Finally, how will you deal with others’ (natural) resistance to change?
Yours is a great responsibility – as a leader/manager, you have to lead, inspire, teach, and set an example. Take your responsibilities seriously, because your performance will make a tremendous difference in your team’s success.
Beckhard, R. (1969). Organization development: Strategies and models. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley.
