Verified Document

Leading Change Book Review

Leading Change There are a number of diverse aspects of John Kotter's seminal treatise on leadership, Leading Change. Subsequently, much of the publicity and academic scholarship involving this work of literature have revolved around the eight stages of creating fundamental, lasting changes within an organization. Although Kotter is significantly (and deservingly) renowned within the business world for the creation and configuration of these steps, it would be misleading to regard Leading Change as a mere blueprint for producing change in an organization. The scope of Kotter's work actually exceeds the mere means to organizational transformation, and deals with larger issues of the evolution of management and the accordant role that businesses must play to engender what is an inexorable process that must come about. The strength of Kotter's manuscript, then, is in providing the context and the background information responsible for the facilitation of this process, at the heart of which lies the contrast between conventional methods of management and those pertaining to the 21st century -- which ultimately allows for fostering of leadership.

To that end, the author has dedicated a substantial portion of his manuscript to enumerating the numerous inherent problems that arose with conventional management techniques and strategies, particularly those that presented themselves over and over again towards the close of the 20th century (Leading Change was initially published in 1996). Yet Kotter merely does so to underscore the need for the pronounced change in management strategy that is the very thesis of this work and which unequivocally advocates the production of leadership. The incisiveness of his analysis on this issue is one of the many boons of Leading Change. Contemporary principles of management were preoccupied with maintaining status quo, preserving tradition and essentially doing whatever was needed to maintain an organization's...

Parts of this document are hidden

View Full Document
svg-one

This form of management was supplanted by, or rather evolved into, the millennium management techniques which were not focused on preservation and looking back but on going forward and transformation. The multitude of varying political environments, and innovations in technology, coupled with the tenuous economic climate of the past several years has demanded nothing less of management, if it dedicated to surviving the fluctuating marketplace.
Not surprisingly, the principle focus of Kotter's manuscript reflects the fact that the ultimate expression of the new techniques of management to dominate the 21st century and the final years of the 20th century is to actually foster leadership within an organization. The distinction between leaders and followers has gotten significantly narrower, while the author professes that it behooves organizations to cultivate leadership at virtually all levels to help guide their projected growth. In this respect, Kotter's work is somewhat idealistic and perhaps even a tad bit naive, as he nearly digresses into expressions of an egalitarianism within companies that would nearly rival anything conceived of by Sir Thomas More. However, the point of denoting the values of parity expressed within this part of the manuscript are well taken -- if not perhaps actualized in the daily existence of contemporary companies -- and serve as a goal to strive towards in terms of the results of the new management techniques and their emphasis on leadership that Leading Change presents.

When it comes to denoting the explicit reasons for the transformation in management techniques and organizational focus that Kotter advocates, however, his examples are far from idealistic and all too convincingly real. The fallout of organizations mired in the antiquated way of management has been evinced in numerous instances, as a plethora of examples of downsizing, micromanagement…

Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Environment the Humanity Has Experienced an Unprecedented
Words: 1120 Length: 4 Document Type: Case Study

Environment The humanity has experienced an unprecedented level of scientific and technological progress in the last two hundred years. The progress, however, has been achieved with a heavy price. Human actions have significantly damaged the natural environment, leading to numerous problems such as pollution, climate change, diseases, and much more. Because of these developments, the subject of environmental management has become a critical one. Environmental managers therefore face certain challenges related

Environment Background Guinea the Environment
Words: 401 Length: 1 Document Type: Research Proposal

Additionally, the potential profits involved with the exploitation of the nation's resources, make for tempting business to acquire through corrupt activities and exploitation. This enormous poverty gap is "a testament to the government's corruption, mismanagement and callousness toward its own people," (Mouawad 2009). Yet, the environment can be used as an element to quell the conflict as well by providing a source to create unity within the region. The environment can

Environment and Islamic Architecture As
Words: 5408 Length: 15 Document Type: Research Paper

An important influence on Renaissance architecture was the Dome of the Rock, famous for its spatial harmony, balance and overall perfection. . . . The Dome of the Rock is basically a Byzantine building [with] classical columns, topped by arches in alternating black and white marble, the dome, and the gold and semi-precious mosaics that decorate the walls all speak of Byzantine heritage" (p. 119). Some scholars, though, have argued

Environments the Real World Companies That Are
Words: 1389 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Environments The real world companies that are being studied are Starbucks, Apple and FedEx. These three companies face different external environmental challenges and have focused on shifting their internal environments in order to better compete in their external environments. The PEST analysis will be used as the analytical framework (QuickMBA, 2012). Starbucks operates in the quick service restaurant industry, and is one of the top brands in that business (QSR Magazine, 2011).

Environment and Delinquency
Words: 1362 Length: 5 Document Type: Research Paper

Environment and Delinquency Over the last several years, the issue of juvenile crime and its impact on the criminal justice system has been increasingly brought to the forefront. This is because there are debates about what to do with these types of offenders and the kind of approach that should be utilized with them. These differences have resulted in considerable amounts of volatility in juvenile delinquency rates. Evidence of this can

Environment From a Christian View
Words: 1243 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Environment from a Christian Perspective Using Toulmin's Argument Model, this paper will explore the way in which Christians should act in response to the environmental challenges facing the planet. There are many reasons that all citizens should be paying attention to the problems that the earth is facing, due to climate change and pollution. And Christians, while they have spiritual values that differ from Muslims, Buddhists and other faiths, are citizens

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now