A deep understanding of the concept of change and the leadership processes that facilitate them are what we are after in this class. A major goal is for each student to leave with an overall model (theory, basic understanding) of how organizational change takes place.

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A deep understanding of the concept of change and the leadership processes that facilitate them are what we are after in this class. A major goal is for each student to leave with an overall model (theory, basic understanding) of how organizational change takes place.
In this paper, you will critically evaluate what you’ve learned as you articulate your theory of organizational change through learning and development. Kurt Lewin once observed that “there is nothing more practical than a good theory.” The model (theory) you create is intended to be a practical tool that you can take with you. It will include your own integrated conceptual model of the most important factors that affect organizational change and learning and development. It should be a model that you can defend and justify, and one that you feel strongly about. Your paper articulates the components of your model and your justifications. It becomes a framework that you own – your professional signature theory of leading organizational change through learning.
Your paper is a two-page synthesis of the key change principles learned in the course with a focus on what most resonated with you as being accurate and useful. The purpose of this paper is to be a reminder for you when you lead changes in your own organizations, work teams, communities, and families throughout your life and career. The ideas in your paper may also be helpful in a job interview or promotion discussion where you can take it out and show how you would lead change.
You may want to write several drafts of your paper in order to be able to clearly and efficiently describe and justify your model. Your paper should include the following:
Your name, email, and phone at the top of your paper.
The following four sections (clearly labeled):
Purpose/Audience: the purpose of your paper and the audience (you may want to write to yourself, a future employer, your boss, or someone who you want to help become a better change agent)
Key Factors of Change Model: description of the model and its variables.
Justification: justify why you created the model the way you did and what might be unique about your model. Includes a discussion of the contexts of where you believe your model works the best.
Implications: a “so what?” discussion that summarizes what readers should take away from your model, why they should care, or what relevance it may have for them.
Graphical representation of your model: Your two-page paper should have a graphical representation of your model attached as a third page. You should create a causal model graphic with “boxes and arrows.” You should select an outcome (dependent) variable such as organizational change. Then identify a list of input (independent) variables that you believe are most important in affecting your outcome variable. Your list should include all the key inputs that are necessary. Your list as a whole should be sufficient. That is, your list should not include something that is not necessary and should not leave out any major thing that is necessary.