Reference no: EM132239231 , Length: 3500 Words

Leadership Change Assignment -

Learning Outcomes -

• Evaluate the fundamental differences between leadership and management.
• Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a range of leadership theories.
• Analyse the process of creativity, and the role of leadership in its formulation and delivery.
• Explain alternative models of change and the role of leadership within them.
• Critically evaluate barriers to change and identify effective ways to overcome such barriers.
• Identify and evaluate a range of strategies and methods to ensure that change is successfully implemented and durable.
• Identify appropriate tools and techniques to aid the planning, implementing and evaluating of change.
• Evaluate the process of innovation and its management.
• Identify successful innovation strategy.
• Appreciate the impact of gender and culture on leadership and organizational change.

Moroccan Lights Co.

Moroccan Lights Co. is an Arabic lights manufacturing company located in Marrakesh. The company was doing well for the past twenty years and the people involved in the operations were confident in their respective areas of operations as they were doing it for quite some time. There was a feeling among some of the employees that it is becoming a monotonous kind of an affair although the efficiency has increased due to the fact that the same person is doing the job for quite some time.

A recent change in the policy and procedures of the company has made it possible for the employees to engage in job rotation. Oussama is in-charge of the manufacturing operation for the past five years and he has three subordinates directly reporting to him - Ali, Kamal, Mehdi. Ali has been working in the same job position for the past fifteen years, Kamal for the past four years and Mehdi for the past two years in the same job position.

Oussama, being quite young and dynamic, welcomed the change in the policy and procedures as it amounts to giving more options to the people who are dynamic and look for more challenges.

Moreover, it provides a more holistic perspective about the organisation. Oussama perceived that it is a win/win situation for both the employees and the organisation. Oussama called a meeting to discuss the possibility of the adoption of job rotation. As the meeting progressed, Oussama became aware that out of the three subordinates, two wanted to change to a job rotation schedule, whereas one is not at all interested in job rotation. Oussama became irritated and adjourned the meeting.

After giving a considerable thought to the problem, he was able to crystallize on four alternative approaches that may be followed to manage this conflict situation:

1. Forget about Job rotation in this unit.

2. Issue the orders that job rotation is mandatory for all the three subordinates with immediate effect.

3. Respect the feelings of each one and work out an arrangement where job rotation occurs for a while, is stopped for a while, and so on, thus allowing each person to have his or her way for some time.

4. Call the meeting again and discuss the pros and cons of the proposed change and that their interpersonal relationship are very important than any job rotation. Try to develop a consensus for job rotation.

Questions:

1. Critically analyse the pros and cons of each option and critically evaluate the level of conflict they will lead to.

2. In your opinion, which of the four approaches should Oussama choose to follow in this situation? Or should an alternative approach be taken? Critically defend your arguments thoroughly.

3. Describe in detail the different change management phases that should be adopted in sequence. Critically evaluate the order of phases.

4. Provide a detailed communication plan to help implement the proposed organizational changes. Demonstrate how the communication plan will enhance the engagement and success of the experience.