Managing in Times of Change

(Michael D. Maginn/Managing in Times of Change/0-07-148436-1/Back Cover Copy) Take charge and lead your people successfully through any change initiative When change affects an organization, leaders-from the top executive to line supervisors-need to demonstrate effective leadership skills as never before. This is critical to retaining and engaging talented employees so your business can implement new ideas and continue to satisfy your customers. Managing in Times of Change shows how to help your workforce realize the benefits of change and flourish within their new environment and responsibilities. Twenty-four workplace-proven leadership lessons and tools provide you with a uniquely personal look at the impact of organizational change, detailing strategies to: Understand natural reactions to change Communicate and personify the benefits of change Gather your assets and resources Isolate and clarify areas of impact Paint a consistent picture of the current change Forge personal goals Get team members involved Squash the rumor mill Empathize without always agreeing Measure and celebrate progress Stand up for people if they are right [flap copy:] You know that change is essential to your organization's survival. However, initiating it can breed instability, stress, and even anger in your workforce. Employees required to change how, where, and with whom they work can have difficulty seeing the benefits of a new situation. Managing in Times of Change provides straight talk and actionable advice to help all leaders across your company-managers, teams, and individuals-understand and implement workplace change in order to strengthen themselves and the organization. Beginning with lessons for facing change head-on, this concise guide coaches you on leading your people by painting a clear picture of what is happening and focusing on desired results. Each page is packed with inside tips for enhancing leadership skills, including: A three-step approach to managing change and helping others cope Guidelines for personally refocusing and understanding how change affects you Strategies for taking a team through the labyrinth of new relationships and processes while meeting goals Productive ways to address individual reactions to change and turn personal negatives into positives Empathetic yet authoritative methods for overcoming resistance and helping people get “unstuck” When change affects your organization, you must communicate clearly and honestly in order to keep confusion and stress to a minimum and get everyone on board with the revamped company vision. Managing in Times of Change shows you how to construct a bridge from the old to the new practices and get your people successfully-and willingly-to the other side. Michael D. Maginn, Ed.D., is President and CEO of Singularity Group, a leadership, sales, and management consultancy in Hamilton, Massachusetts. He is the author of Making Teams Work and Effective Teamwork.