Leader of Change experiences and perceives during an actual change initiative

discover what a Leader of Change experiences and
perceives during an actual change initiative that he/she has lead in an educational institution.
Through conversation with a change leader, you will identify the key elements required of
change and the experiences and perceptions of the success of such an initiative in order for you
to apply your learning about change management and what is required to be successful.
Directions:
1. Identify an exemplary change agent working in education that you know or know of by
reputation.
o This person can be a current employee/employer
o Former employee/employer
o Current/former colleague
2. Schedule an interview with this person.
o Please be respectful of busy schedules.
o Explain that this assignment requires that the interview itself should last no less than
45 and no more than 60 minutes.
o Schedule via video conferencing or phone but the interview must be live, not via
email.
3. Create no less than 10 and no more than15 original questions to ask this interviewee
regarding their direct experience and perceptions of change management in a particular
situation.
o Design your questions to identify key elements of change leadership and to elicit indepth information based on your readings to date.
o It is important to plan your questions in advance, however, you may wish to revise the
order, or some of the questions during the actual interview based on the dialog that
ensures. Offer to send the questions to the interviewee in advance so they can prepare
their answers thoughtfully.

 

Sample Solution

Identifying the Change Leader:

  • Consider reaching out to your professors, fellow students, or education professionals in your network who might know exemplary change agents.
  • Look for individuals who have recently spearheaded successful change initiatives in their institutions.
  • You can also search online for educational change leaders recognized for their work, focusing on specific areas of interest (e.g., technology integration, curriculum reform).

Planning the Interview:

  • Explain the purpose: Briefly explain the nature of your assignment and that you are seeking their insights on change management in education.
  • Respect their time: Be flexible and respectful of their schedule. Offer a range of options for a 45-60 minute video or phone interview.
  • Prepare informed questions: Use your readings and this framework to create insightful questions specific to their experience.

Sample Interview Questions:

Key Elements of Change Leadership:

  • Vision and Communication: How did you clearly define the vision for change and communicate it to stakeholders (faculty, students, administrators)?
  • Collaboration and Building Support: How did you build buy-in and collaboration among diverse stakeholders? What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
  • Resistance and Managing Conflict: How did you navigate resistance to change and address potential conflicts arising during the process?
  • Implementation and Sustainability: How did you ensure the effective implementation of the change? What did you do to ensure its long-term sustainability?
  • Leadership Style and Adaptability: Describe your leadership style during the change process. How did you adapt your approach based on emerging situations?

Individual Experiences and Perceptions:

  • Personal Growth and Challenges: What were the most significant learning experiences for you as a change leader? What challenges did you face personally?
  • Metrics and Measuring Success: How did you measure the success of the change initiative? What factors did you consider?
  • Unexpected Outcomes and Reflections: Were there any unexpected outcomes or challenges you encountered? Looking back, what would you do differently?
  • Advice for Aspiring Change Leaders: What advice would you give to individuals looking to lead change in educational institutions?

Additional Tips:

  • Actively listen and ask follow-up questions to understand their experiences in depth.
  • Show appreciation for their time and insights.
  • Offer to summarize your key takeaways and share them with the interviewee for feedback.
  • Remember, this is a learning opportunity, so be open to new perspectives and adapt your questions based on the conversation flow.

By following these steps and using the provided questions as a starting point, you can conduct a meaningful interview that will contribute significantly to your understanding of change management in education.

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