Developing Change Readiness: A Video-Based Classroom Exercise

Abstract

Leading change is a significant element of a management career, and therefore, discussions on change management are integral to leadership and organizational behavior courses in business programs. However, given their limited work experiences with organizational transitions, most business students fail to appreciate the challenge involved in getting others to accept and implement the change. This classroom activity serves to help students better understand the concerns of change recipients when a top-down change is mandated. The assignment involves students watching an organizational change video in class, discussing in groups, identifying the different change readiness sentiments, and responding to a brief questionnaire. Students find the activity both challenging and exciting, and it gives the students an opportunity to appreciate various concerns related to change implementation. This exercise can be used with a range of courses in management curricula, both undergraduate and graduate, and in other leadership training modules.