Leading Organizational Change – Big changes were coming to Brandon’s architectural and engineering firm. Senior leadership wanted to move away from several markets it had historically served and move into new markets that they believed offered more opportunities. Departments and teams would certainly be reorganized. To enter new markets, new hires would be needed to fill gaps in the company’s expertise. And at least some layoffs would probably happen as the company pulled out of older markets. Brandon, a relatively new department leader, wondered: “What are the essential traits for leading organizational change?
One might argue that change is constantly happening and that all of the characteristics required for great leadership are needed… change is simply part of a leader’s job. However, every once in a while, change is the dominant feature of the organization’s landscape, and leading organizational change is especially important.