Overview
In all change, people affected by the change go through a period of transition. According to William Bridges (2003), author of Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change,
Change is not the same as transition. Change is situational: the new site, the new boss, the new team roles, the new policy. Transition is the psychological process people go through to come to terms with the new situation. Change is external, transition is internal. (p.3)
Too often, leaders believe they are managing change, when they are actually managing transitions (the internal psychological process people are going through to come to terms with the new situation). Being able to differentiate between change and transition is a powerful tool for successfully managing organizational change.
As participants enter into this course, and based on the readings, participants will be asked to reflect on the transitions they are currently experiencing. Also, as this is unit one, course introductions, group agreements, and opportunities to pose the leadership questions to be explored during the course will be identified.
Activities and Assessment
- Review assigned readings and resources for Unit 1
- Activity 1: Participate in course introductions forum
- Activity 2: Participate in Transitions online discussion forum
- Activity 3: Complete Personal Values Assessment
Activity 1: Course Introductions forum
As you reflect on your role as a leader, prepare an introductory post to the community of learners that explores the following:
- What do you want to learn about leadership?
- What new leadership language will support you in the leadership and climate legacy that you are seeking to cultivate for yourself, your organization, your community, our global community?
Please offer one substantive post before Wednesday and respond to your colleagues in the course throughout the week, to facilitate each other’s learning and to enable a rich dialogue to occur in our online community.
Post in Unit 1: Course Introductions forum
Activity 2: Transitions forum
In 2-4 paragraphs, describe your experience as you transition to entering this course. Consider the following questions:
- What is the leadership crossroads you find yourself at, as you begin this course?
- What has shifted for you as a result of your learning in the program so far?
- What is one action step that you are committed to taking that will move your learning forward?
- What is one commitment you are prepared to make to contribute to an inclusive learning community?
- What endings, neutral zone or new beginning experiences and reflections do you wish to share?