Leading Change (Jackie Jeffrey, Rebecca Matthews): Book Review

Q. Assessment: Reflective review of a book chapter

A reflective review of a book chapter critically evaluating the theoretical approaches to leading organisational change (2000 words). This assessment covers learning outcomes 1,4, and 5:

Learning outcome 1: Critically evaluate the factors that trigger individual and organisational change and the strategies and approaches available to successfully facilitate and lead a change process

Learning outcome 4: Critically reflect on their past career/life lines and transferable skills to show how their past experiences impact on their understanding of leadership and change

Learning outcome 5: Use reflective and reflexive tools for improving reasoning and analytical/evaluative abilities as a facilitator and leader of change Learners are expected to complete a 2000 word critically reflective review of one of the chapters on the course text Leading Change by Jeffrey, J. & Matthews, R. (2013), Palgrave Macmillan.

As a guide, the following chapters should be considered:

• Ch 1 Using Strategies and Techniques (for Reflection)
• Ch 2 Managing Personal Transitions
• Ch 3 The Role of Leadership in Change Management
• Ch 4 Open Systems Models and Alignment
• Ch 10 Communicating Change
• Ch 11 Spreading Change
• Ch 12 Making Change Stick

In your review you should justify your choice of chapter; review and critically evaluate the key ideas in that chapter; make reference to and integrate concepts from earlier class sessions. Strong submissions will explore and draw upon the additional references in the chapter, again clarifying their significance. Submissions may draw on one or two relevant texts articles students may have researched themselves however the relevance must be Justified and demonstrated.

A key point to stress is that we are looking to identify the quality and depth of thinking and discussion, and the relevance/significance of your reading firstly to your personal leadership style and secondly to your role in leading change in an organisation in the future (the ‘so what this means or tells me is ..’). Large extracts and large quantities of superficially-considered material is not what we are seeking. The 2000 word guideline requires you to exercise judgement and evaluation of what you read, how you make sense of the materials and articulate the relevance to the Learning Outcomes.

To support learners to conduct this reflective review, three questions are provided as a starting point:

• What appeals to you in the chapter and why?
• How does the reading link to your own experiences (use real examples)?
• How could you use what you have read and reflected upon to enhance your own leadership of change in your career in future?

Rubric (Guidelines on how the work will be assessed):

Excellent (1-work) The review will be focused on the given chapter and critically reflective in nature. It will make good use of the briefing note provided. As a result, there will be clearly articulated responses to the questions mentioned above. There will be evidence that a broad range of experiences is being used to explore the questions and the various theoretical ideas presented in the use of the Harvard Referencing System.

Very good (2.1 work) The review will be focused on the given chapter and critically reflective in nature although inconsistency in approach across the 3 questions. The responses to the questions are less grounded connections with own experiences and future career plans. Although overt references to the theoretical ideas are made these are also inconsistent and as a result reduce the connections between the 3 questions posed. There are few errors in the use of the Harvard referencing system.

Good (2.2 work) A less focussed review with responses to questions based on description of the chapter rather than analysis of experiences and influences. Examples used suggest a limited knowledge of the span of leadership and change. Limited overt references are made to theoretical ideas presented in the chapter and these impact on the connections between the 3 questions posed. There are significant errors in the use of the Harvard referencing system.

Poor (3rd class work) There will be little evidence of using given questions or the chapter to frame this review. This will be compounded by very little reflection or connections to own experiences or future career. Poor use of Harvard referencing system.

Fail No use of the questions given or evidence that the chapter has actually been read; lots of references to other sources and possible evidence of plagiarism or as a minimum of copying from the chapter as opposed to reviewing it.

studymumbai

StudyMumbai.com is an educational resource for students, parents, and teachers, with special focus on Mumbai. Our staff includes educators with several years of experience. Our mission is to simplify learning and to provide free education. Read more about us.