BOOK REVIEW
Book Title: Leading Change
Author: John P. Kotter
Publisher: Harvard Business School Press
List Price: $24.95 (PDF: $11.95)
Format: 196 pages, soft cover or PDF
Publication Date: 1996
ISBN: 0-87584-747-1
Reviewer: Meshva Desai, PMP
Review Date: August 2024
Introduction
John P. Kotter’s Leading Change offering a clear and actionable roadmap for leaders looking to navigate their organizations through the complexities of transformation. Originally published in 1996, the book remains highly relevant today, with its principles being applied across various industries and sectors.
Overview of Book’s Structure
Kotter, a professor at Harvard Business School, identifies eight critical steps that organizations must follow to successfully implement lasting change. He begins by highlighting the urgency of change in the rapidly evolving business environment, emphasizing that complacency is the enemy of progress. From there, Kotter outlines his eight-step process for leading change:
1. Establishing a Sense of Urgency: Kotter argues that without a sense of urgency, people won’t give the necessary effort or attention to the change initiative. This step is about creating a compelling case for why change is necessary.
2. Creating a Guiding Coalition: Change can’t happen in isolation. Kotter stresses the importance of forming a powerful, cross-functional team to lead the change effort.
3. Developing a Vision and Strategy: A clear vision guides the direction of change, and a well-thought-out strategy ensures that the vision can be achieved. Kotter explains how a compelling vision can rally people behind the cause.
4. Communicating the Change Vision: Successful communication is key to overcoming resistance. Kotter outlines strategies for ensuring that the vision is understood and embraced by everyone in the organization.
5. Empowering Employees for Broad-Based Action: Obstacles to change, whether they are structural, cultural, or human, must be removed. Kotter discusses how empowering employees can help break down these barriers.
6. Generating Short-Term Wins: Short-term wins build momentum and justify the change effort. Kotter highlights the importance of celebrating early successes to keep morale high.
More…
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How to cite this review: Desai, M. (2024). Leading Change, book review, PM World Journal, Vol. XIII, Issue IX, September. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pmwj145-Sep2024-Desai-Leading-Change-book-review.pdf
About the Reviewer
Meshva Desai
Lucas, TX USA
Meshva Desai, PMP, PSM I, CPIM, is a seasoned project manager with over 13 years of experience specializing in supply chain transformation. Her expertise lies in driving innovation, process improvement, and automation to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs. Meshva is a natural planner with a talent for organizing and coordinating cross-functional teams and vendors to ensure the success of complex projects. Certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) since 2018, she is dedicated to her profession and is an active member of the Dallas Chapter of PMI. Meshva can be reached at desai.meshva@gmail.com.
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