Making the most of management theory of John Kotter requires creating a sense of urgency and reducing complacency. It’s crucial to put change in motion, after establishing a planned strategy to shift the direction of the organization. Change management theory affirms, without a sense of urgency the “business as usual attitude” can set in and impede the progress of change. A sense of urgency initiates the motive for change and if applied at each stage of Kotter’s eight-step process, keeps the momentum towards change in action.

As John Kotter theory of transformational change notes, buying into change must include forward thinking. Change is an integral part of business operations to sustain profitability. If the momentum of the Kotter management model stalls at any stage, a sense of urgency can jump-start the process again. Kotter change management teaches that credible and competent leadership is able to convince the staff that change is valuable, practical and necessary.

1. Make the case for a new direction using Kotter change management.

2. Use Kotter management theory to train workplace management teams the method to initiate change.

3. Implement Kotter's theory to reduce complacency in leaders and managers.

Action Steps
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Create a sense of urgency at every stage of Kotter's eight-step change management model

Schedule John Kotter to speak at your next conference to inspire leaders about the need to see changes as a crucial aspect of conducting business. Review each step of the management theory of John Kotter. It's vital to use a variety of methods to instill a sense of urgency and dispel complacency.

I recommend: Arrange to have John Kotter speak at a company gathering through Speaker.com. MindTools.com provides a step-by-step review of each stage of Kotter's theory. Knowledge at W.P. Carey offers insightful methods to create urgency and other articles to maximize change management.

Explore training methods based on Kotter's theory of change

John Kotter Change Management provides practical ways to address transformational change in the workplace. Teach the managers and leaders in your organization a new approach to address the need for change and expose the myth about how organizational change really occurs in the workplace.

I recommend: At John Kotter.com, view short video clip presentations on key topics about Kotter's theory. Also find the latest in resource materials, new ideas, speaking schedule and books. Kotter Associates is the official training site which offers a free interactive pre-work demonstration and free access to web seminars on change management.

View Kotter change theory in action

There are a number ways to implement Kotter's theory. It's important to know that theory can produce practical results. Many companies share information about the benefits of using information from John Kotter articles to redirect the way to approach business and change.

I recommend: Michael S. Hyatt's website gives insightful application of creating a sense of urgency using Kotter's change theory at his publishing company. Northwest Center for Public Health Practice applies John Kotter's theory in the health industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Kotter's theory of change requires management teams to shift away from thinking of their work in terms of a task force or committee and produce changes working as a cohesive team.

The management theory of John Kotter has won widespread acceptance in the years since he first presented his leadership model clarifying the dynamics of effective corporate leadership. More recently, Kotter has further developed his companion theory, the Kotter theory of change management, which works hand in hand with his earlier leadership principles to create a culture of success within a company. Kotter himself has stated, "The fundamental purpose of management is to keep the current system functioning. The fundamental purpose of leadership is to produce useful change." When properly used, Kotter's theory can help a business owner or manager overcome resistance to change within the company, and thereby facilitate organizational transformation.

Kotter's change management theory identifies a number of characteristics that stand in the way of healthy organizational change. Until management takes the appropriate steps to eliminate these obstacles, effective change cannot occur. As you learn more about the role of the John Kotter theory in transformational change, you'll be better equipped to eliminate the following obstacles from your own organization:

1. Complacency, driven by arrogance;

2. Self-protective immobilization, driven by fear;

3. Defiance, driven by anger; and

4. Hesitancy, driven by pessimism.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Acquire some background information on Kotter change management theory

Internet resources abound which expound Kotter change management theory. These online tools and information sources can give you a thorough background on the essence of Kotter's theory.

I recommend: Nationwide Speakers Bureau, Inc. provides a video of John Kotter which contains excerpts from speaking engagements that illustrate Kotter's theory of change. Whether or not you decide to book him as a speaker, this clip will certainly give you a great overview of what the management theory of John Kotter is all about. The Harvard Business School Working Knowledge website also provides an excerpt from Kotter's and Cohen's book, The Heart of Change: Real Life Stories of How People Change Their Organizations. The excerpt introduces Kotter's eight-step change management model, using anecdotes which clearly illustrate the concept. ESI International also presents a helpful explanation of Kotter management theory.

Investigate John Kotter change management resources which can help you implement his advice

Various types of resources based on Kotter's theory of change can help you implement change in your own company.

I recommend: Enterprise Media offers videos covering Kotter's theory of change, including, "Succeeding in a Changing World." John Kotter's website, Our Iceberg is Melting, also offers various tools for change, along with several web seminars covering Kotter's management theory.

Let the Kotter change theory lead you to other widely available tools for implementing change

A number of available tools can make it easier for you to implement the management theory of John Kotter, as well as various other change management methods.

I recommend: The Change Management Learning Center Bookstore offers a broad range of helpful resources and links to change-related books, including books on Kotter management theory. Advanced Projects, Inc. provides insight and tools for combating resistance to change within an organization. The tools on this site are based on the Kotter change theory.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to take advantage of as many online tools and resources as possible to develop a clear understanding of the value that change management theory can have for your company. John Kotter is an engaging speaker who offers many valuable insights during his talks, so don't miss his free online video clip mentioned in Action Step 1. It will give you a preview of all that John Kotter change management theory can do for your company.

When resources are dwindling and change is inevitable, expand your options with the management theory of John Kotter. Education and training can provide practical solutions to many business dilemmas. Kotter's eight-step change management model gives the business leader the tools to predict, embrace and adjust to change in the workplace. Kotter change management training offers business leaders organizational strategies to keep pace with the frequent changes in the marketplace.

Many companies face a future of change due to globalization and the rapid advances in information technology. Keep your organizational leadership skill level up-to-date with educational training in change management theory. John Kotter theory in transformational change can equip business leaders with educational tools and resources through either self-training or a structured learning environment.

1. Review the fundamentals of John Kotter change management before committing to a particular type of training.

2. Determine what additional education and training is necessary to acquire skills in Kotter management theory.

3. Locate traditional and alternative training options to learn Kotter's theory, as needed.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

View a summary of the management theory of John Kotter

John Kotter is a leading figure on the subject of change management theories. He's a graduate of Harvard and MIT as well as the author of many best-selling books and training resources that teach business leaders about transformational change.

I recommend: Kotter Associates, Our Iceberg Is Melting training site provides excerpts from web seminars to introduce Kotter's theory of change. Leadershop has an excerpt from John Kotter's book "Power and Influence" which introduces management theory in the corporate work setting.

Take inventory of your current skill set in change management theory

Pin-point your training needs by testing your knowledge in organizational change theory and methods. Figure out if you need to simply take a change management course or need more in depth educational background in management theory.

I recommend: Wynn Solutions offer change management assessment tests and customized management training. Integrated Organizational Development (IOD) provides a change management survey based on Kotter's eight-step change management model.

Seek out traditional programs that include management theory of John Kotter education and training

Change management theory is considered a fundamental concept in organizational management degree or certification programs. A traditional degree program may offer undergraduate, graduate or certification training as way to learn John Kotter's change management leadership skills.

I recommend: University of Texas at Austin's McCombs Business School has an undergraduate management degree program that offers training in change management theory. Colorado Technical University's Master of Science in management that includes change theory coursework and certification.

Consider alternative training methods to acquire skills in Kotter change theory

Calculate the time and financial resources available for additional training. There are many cost-effective options and training methods available to obtain the desired leadership skills in change management. Check your current schedule to plan for self-paced or structured training classes and workshops in Kotter management.

I recommend: Training ABC offers DVD training sets, books, videos other resources to learn John Kotter theory in transformational change. Harvard Business Online has a broad range of materials in change theory created by John Kotter.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many program offerings and coursework include the work of John Kotter as foundational in understanding the current methodology and approach to organizational behavior and leadership skills.

Change is inevitable and oftentimes necessary in order for your business to be a success. John Kotter believed this. He also believed there is a right way to implement the process of change in order for it to have a favorable outcome. Under this belief, Kotter created the Eight-Step Change Model, also known as the Change Phases. The following article covers six of those eight steps and gives you the tools you need to understand and implement the entire process.

Action Steps
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Urgency

At least 75 percent of the company needs to be on board in order for change to occur within an organization. It is up to the leadership staff to create a sense of urgency in order to motivate the team. There are several ways to do this, including informing employees of potential threats in the absence of change and starting discussions to involve everyone.

I recommend: 12manage lists "creating urgency" as the primary step in Kotter's Change Phases.

Coalition

The next step for change to occur is the development of a powerful coalition. You need a strong leadership team to see things through. Key members of your staff must be a part of the effort for change, whether physically, emotionally or in both ways.

I recommend: An article written by John Kotter on the Harvard Business School Working Knowledge website lists this step as "building the guiding team."

Vision

Next, you need to create a vision for change. Change is a great idea, but there are always several different possibilities, each of which has a different outcome. Bring your ideas together to form a clearcut vision for the change your company wants to implement based upon desired results.

I recommend: Access Value Based Management for reasons why change processes fail if your company doesn't implement this and the other eight steps for change.

Communication

Kotter's next change step is to communicate the vision (or the employee buy-in) to your staff with frequency and power. The everyday workings of your business can take over the communication highway, so you must remind employees of the vision for change so they can remember to continually strive toward the goal.

I recommend: ESI International refers to this step as empowering employees to implement change.

Obstacles

It's important to understand that there will be barriers that resist the change you're trying to implement and you must remove those obstacles in order to proceed.

I recommend: Refer to The Communication Initiative Network for a more modernized version of the steps in Kotter's Change Model.

Short-term wins

The strongest motivation for any team or individual is success. Therefore, you must create wins, results employees can actually see, over a short time frame so that they will have the motivation to press on to the final goal.

I recommend: Visit Mind Tools for a thorough explanation of Kotter's Eight Step Change Model and information on the last two steps. Learn more about Kotter's theories directly from the source in an interview available at Management Consulting News.