CHANGE LEADER BY MICHEAL FULLAN

Fullan’s book, Change Leader is based on the principle that practice is the hallmark of leadership. Practice-driven leadership is the theme that runs throughout the book. In this book, Fullan sets the foundation for leading change through a seven-part framework which he describes as a “reflective process of leading change.” These frameworks or insights provide guidance to the leader in the process of change to improvement of practice.<br><br>First, practice drives theory. Fullan believe that the effective change leader actively participates as a learner in helping the organization improve. He encourages leaders to learn from experience. According to him, practice needs to drive us. Figure out for yourself what is right. Fullan tells us to examine our own practice and other similar practices and identify what is missing then try out something new. He further encourage leaders to use their brain by reflecting, assessing, concluding and synthesizing what they have done and learned. The results from experience drive a new theory leading change forward.<br><br>Second, be resolute. Effective change leaders combine resolute moral purpose with impressive empathy. Fullan caution that when you are on a crucial mission, stay the course against all odds. Be impressively empathetic when it comes to opposition in the early stages. He stressed that, “...if you want behavior to change you must change the situation.” Empathetic leaders direct small changes in situation to change behavior. One of greatest strengths in this book is the talk of moral purpose but also one of the most overlooked principles of leadership.<br><br>Third, motivate the masses. According to Fullan, realized effectiveness is what motivates people to do more. Fullan stated in his book that helping people achieve something they have never done before, dramatically increases motivation. He stated that change leaders create experiences for their followers that turn out to be motivating. The effective change leader “activates, enables, and mobilizes human and moral purpose and the skills to enact them. According to Fullan there are five intrinsic motivators which are; Strong sense of purpose; increased capacity; degree of autonomy and camaraderie.<br><br>Fourth, collaborate to compete. Fullan derived five elements of leading collaborative cultures. Setting a small number of core goals is essential. One of the barriers to change is resistance and exhaustion because goals are not clarified or simplified; leaders at the top must clearly agree and consistently communicate the core goals to their followers; democracy or collective capacity building ensures many leaders with like-minded resolution. Teamwork should be mandatory; building individual capacity. This personal growth can be fostered by purposeful collaboration at the system level and collaborative competition provides benefits. Higher purpose, mutual respect, high expectations, pressure and support to perform and innovate to get better make a powerful, focused collaborative culture.<br><br>Firth, leaders must learn confidently. According to Fullan, Change leaders are more confident than the situation warrants but more humble than they look. He provide the four musts of leadership namely: - use your brain “When people experience something new, it connects with their feelings first, then their minds”; cultivate a growth mindset, Change leaders must facilitate a growth mindset in their learning organizations; be indispensable and maintain a high level of confidence.<br><br>Sixth, Know Your Impact. Though difficult all leaders have to know themselves. Take data into account but don’t be mesmerized by it. Be grounded and practical...test what you do against research and theories. Fullan observes that “The path to successful change is a problem that will require careful checks and balances.”<br><br>Finally, a leader must sustain simplixity by combining all the qualities aforementioned. In this way you can call yourself an accomplished change leader, which also means you are helping others to get this good. The world will be the beneficially. Having simplixity allows you to tackle complex problems without feeling overwhelmed.<br>