Affecting Change

Running Head: AFFECTING CHANGE

Affecting Change

University of Phoenix Online

November 1, 2010

Affecting Change

Leadership has been defined as the ability to motivate and influence others to work towards achieving a goal. Leaders of any organizations are sometimes faced with challenges of encouraging employees to adapt to organizational structural and culture changes. The Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Smith & Falmouth in the Leadership in Action simulation had the large task of leading a group of unwilling and reluctant employees to accomplish the organization’s new goals. The purpose of this paper will be to discuss the present cultures within S&F and will make a recommendation for restructuring the e-tailing division that would improve the culture while empowering the employees.

In the efforts to streamline the new department, the new Chief Operating Officer must find ways to overcome the resistance of the current structure. Even more, creating an environment that fosters growth and improves employee involvement in the organization must be considered. Under the current structure of the new online group at Smith and Falmouth, every change and report was given to the Project Manager. This was what occurred previously before the selected project manager was re-assigned to this new department. (University of Phoenix, 2010) To make a smoother transition, the Chief Operating Officer must work closely with the Project Manager in order to begin the process of department re-structuring. Currently, a Logistics Manager and Marketing Manager also report to the Project Manager. To be effective in her leadership role, the COO has created a plan to bring the major decision-makers into the streamline process.

Prior to the arrival of the COO, the structure of the department consisted of the Project Manager and his team running the online division as he saw fit. Very little changes occurred and the entire group seemed to work well in smaller groups. To...