Organizational Change

Leadership Plans for Innovation

During my time in the Lamar University Digital Leadership and Learning program, I began to make foundational steps toward making change.  In my organizational change course, I learned that my leadership is in a classroom, but can also be transferred to a greater context.  In order to implement my innovation plan, Redefining Rigor, I needed to know and understand how to bring my thoughts of positive change to fruition.  In doing so, there were four steps I took to create this plan.  The first step is to create a personal mission statement.  Understanding my why brought clarity, perspective and direction to this work.  Moreover, it can be used in any realm where change is needed.  Next, it was important to actually start this plan.  I had to investigate and identify the behaviors within my organization that could halt successful completion of my innovation plan.  When these negative behaviors were identified, I could then create a list of vital behaviors to encourage.  My influencer strategy was planned using the 6 steps of influence that will be used to change behavior and gain results.  Complementing this strategy is one called the Four Disciplines of Execution, or 4DX Model.  In the 4DX Model, I was able to use predictive behaviors and plan a way to execute my project using 4 factors that yield successful execution for my project.  Together the Influencer Model and the Four Disciplines of Execution are sure ways to produce the desired outcome for "Redefining Rigor."  Finally, I took an overall look at my purpose, plans and strategies to learn more about how this can actually happen.  My last step was to take another look at myself and decide to be the agent of change that I need to be despite imminent experiences of sabotage and resistance using the Self Differentiated Leader Approach.  Each element will display how my leadership perspective will take form from the birth of the project and determining my “why,” to understanding the different methods and strategies there are to influence behavior changes that drive results.  Each of these steps is crucial for the development of my innovation plan.  Without being able to lead this initiative, there is very little follow through in getting things done.  It is my job as a leader and an educator to ensure that I take my time to understand the benefits of my innovation project for the ultimate beneficiaries of this work – the learners.