Organizational Change and Sources of Influence

Organizational change is possible if 4 of 6 sources of influence, but best if all 6 are activated. However, none of us work and live in silos. We are always under social influence. The All Washed Up! video really illustrated that point. It wasn't just individual peers or individual sources of influence that were effective. It was when there were multiple points of influence, but strong social influence that enabled change. When we are looking into influencing changes, it's important to spend time looking into social motivation and ability.

What does that mean exactly? Well, in the video Harnessing Social Pressure, we want to make things easy for others and naturally provide built-in support. Similar to the All Washed Up video, this one also focused on social influence. When we are looking into the social area, it's known that individually, most people are open to learning and trying new things. However, changes may not be implemented or accomplished without the social support and accountability of different social leaders in their organizations.

The social leaders are divided into a few groups, and the leadership groups have to support the work. That includes the formal leadership-they have to support the work or it won't take off. Leadership does not mean just the formal leaders, you need the opinion influencers to be on board as well. The ones that are socially connected and respected amongst colleagues. Then you need to seek the support of the enablers: they positively or negatively influence change. They are people who help. For changes to occur, there needs to be support systems in place to praise the right behaviors and have accountability. If you can influence the influencers, that impacts engagement and motivation which leads to change.

When looking into my change efforts, I am going to need to get some key players on board to really motivate and encourage the new skills to really take off. It can't just be the individual teacher or team. For sustained, long-term change to occur with play-based, project-based blended learning I am going to need to have the administration on board, instructional coaches on board, and key players on the teaching teams on board. Along with providing timely and in-the-moment support, it will have to be something easy for them to feel successful and see the impact of their students' learning.

References:

Buchl, C. (2012, December 17). Harnessing Social Pressure. YouTube. [Video]. https://youtu.be/wu7UBY5euBg

Crucial Learning. (2009, September 21). All washed up! [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osUwukXSd0k

Grenny, J., Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2013). Influencer: The new science of leading change (2nd ed.). McGraw Hill Education.