Organizations need to adapt to innovative techniques while
avoiding the pitfall of adopting unproven methods and/or fads that may not fit
with the culture of the organizations. What would you say to your former
colleague?
PART 1– Organizational Behavior
A former colleague calls you and he sounds very frustrated.
Once again, senior leadership has proclaimed itself to be the followers of the
latest management fad – he thinks this time it’s Most Effective Habits of
Excellent Leaders – and expects the entire organization to immediately shift
direction.
You shake your head. You know that organizations in today’s
global marketplace are faced with a constant need to understand the forces
affecting them and adapt accordingly. In other words, companies must be able to
change at all levels (individual, group and the organization, itself). On the
other hand, companies such as your former employer have been accused of
reacting to management fads and gurus, with no regard to the company’s culture
or people’s need to adapt to change at their own pace.
Reflect on this paradox: organizations need to adapt to
innovative techniques while avoiding the pitfall of adopting unproven methods
and/or fads that may not fit with the culture of the organizations.
What would you say to your former colleague?
Are these two forces mutually exclusive, or do you perceive
a balance that can be struck between change and stability?
PART 2-Operations Management
Two days before you are scheduled to complete your work on
this project, the plant manager at the S facility catches you walking from your
rental car. He has noticed that you are a believer in the philosophy of
“Don’t Treat Symptoms, Solve the Problem”. He asks you to attend a
virtual meeting to discuss an action plan and brainstorm specific items to
implement the recommendations that you have sent to the vice president.
This meeting will be held on the discussion board and you
are expected to bring recommendations that address the underlying issues of the
various problems.
