Title: In Defense of Directed Change: A Viable Approach in the Rhythm of Change
Abstract: Although involvement and participation have become the preferred approach to organizational change, directing organizational members toward a focused goal or objective can be a very effective and efficient approach. Based on our consulting experiences, the paper describes examples of effective and ineffective applications of directed change, with additional perspectives from a sample of early career executive MBA students. We explore how a rhythm of organizational change involving three different change approaches–directed change, planned change, and iterative changing–creates a dynamic interplay in complex change situations that also supports the value of directed change as a a viable management tool. One reason that directed change has fallen out of favor may be that it is so often implemented poorly. Key elements of effective directed change are described along with the behavioral skills necessary to successfully implement this approach to organizational change.