Describe the various ways of overcoming resistance to change
Change is inevitable in life but it does not make people more receptive to it. In any organization change will be resisted and will take time to fully be effective as it is a slow process requiring many resources such as time. The basic way of overcoming resistance to change is telling people even before the change is implemented. It makes them feel part of the process and also gives them a chance to analyze the change and they can offer alterations that can make the proposed change even better. It is better than introducing a change and expecting people to flow with it.
It is also easier to overcome resistance if the management if open to listen to the views of other stakeholders. Communication and in this case active listening will be a key to ensuring that the resistors have all the information they need. Listening well helps the organization know how to answer. This is better than the management imposing changes on stakeholders simply because they can as it leads to conflicts with the resistors. Acknowledging resistors eases tension and conflicts creating space for communication where ideas are shared. Organizations also need to point out how the workers and all other stakeholders affected by the change will benefit from the change. This may involve educating stakeholders on the changes and so that they have the skills they need to deal with the changes.
Lack of skills may cause fear and insecurity resulting to resistance. Many organizations only explain changes in terms of the benefits they bring to it ignoring the employees who are its backbone. People need to feel that the change will positively impact them if they are going to be more receptive. It could also help if what the stand to lose should they resist the change I pointed out so that they are fully aware of the opportunity cost. Resistance can overcome by ensuring that one appeals to the assumptions and the beliefs that the people hold about the change to be introduced(Smith, 2016).
Explain and provide a work place example of each of the following communication examples
a. Oral communication in downward flow direction- Downward flow direction of communication happens when those at the top of the organization communicate with their juniors. Oral communication occurs when words of mouth are used to pass the information. For example a factory manager may require the supervisor and the clerk to explain production levels, stock available and then tell them that they have a huge order that will require more production in the in the next one month.
b. Written communication in upward flowing direction- Upward communication is when communication comes from juniors to seniors in terms of hierarchy. If it is written communication it means that the seniors get written documents either at their request or at the initiative of the juniors. For instance the management may require all workers to fill in a survey form answering questions about the organization.
c. Non-verbal communication in lateral flowing direction- This direction involves communication amongst people in the same hierarchical level in an institution. Non-verbal implies that there are no words spoken but a message is sent through non-verbal ques. For example in a factory operators may signal each other on when to shut or turn on a machine maybe through waving of differently colored clothes.
Describe cohesiveness as a property of groups. How can a group be made more cohesive?
Cohesiveness refers to how people in a group feel attracted to each other. This attraction means how they value each other's capabilities, how they admire each other and the importance they see in each member. It fosters full cooperation and engagement of efforts. The stronger a group has cohesive bonds the more they are satisfied with belonging to the group. Gladness with each other, shared purpose, subgroups development, time and inclusivity can all be analyzed to estimate cohesiveness. To make a group more cohesive it should have its norms that all members are to abide by. These norms give the group a foundation and the basis they need to develop the proper attitudes and views of each other (Development Centre, 2016).
References
Development2016, O. C. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http:www.brookes.ac.uk/services/ocsld/resources/groupwork/index.html
Smith, L. N. (2016). Overcoming resistance to change. Retrieved from
http:www.ualr.edu/jkfaust/overcoming.htm