Organizational Change and Growth

1. The Change Handbook: The Definitive Resource on Today’s Best Methods for Engaging Whole Systems(2nd Edition). Peggy Holman, Tom Devane & Steven Cady. Berrett-Koehler Publishers: San Francisco, CA; 2007; 732 pages. This comprehensive book describes sixty-one systems change methods from ninety international leaders, originators and practitioners. New chapters are included in this edition on selecting, mixing and matching methods; conditions for success; and sustaining results. A comparative chart helps readers evaluate methods.
2. Strategic Organizational Change (2nd edition). Michael Beitler; Practitioner Press International: Greensboro, NC; 2006; 242 pages. Dr. Beitler, an organizational change consultant with 30 years of experience, provides a systematic approach for diagnosing organizational problems, designing solutions, and implementing step-by-step organizational change interventions. This book is written in a practical, easy-to-follow style, with an abundance of checklists and practice tools.
3. Our Iceberg is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions. John Kotter, Holger Rathgeber, Spenser Johnson & Peter Mueller; St. Martin’s Press: New York; 2006; 160 pages. The lead author, John P. Kotter has been a Harvard Business School professor since 1972. This book describes an eight-stage process of successful change through an entertaining story of how a colony of Antarctic penguins identified their problem, created urgency, developed a team-building structure, and stepped outside the box. The authors state that beneficial change is a never-ending process rather than a destination.
4. Covert Processes at Work: Managing the Five Hidden Dimensions of Organizational Change. Robert J. Marshak & Ed Schein. Berrett-Koehler Publishers: San Francisco, CA; 2006; 188 pages. Organizational change initiatives often fail because of hidden agendas, blind spots, office politics, and secret feelings. This book provides a coherent approach for identifying and dealing with all of these hidden dynamics with specific tools and techniques.
5. Making Change Stick: Twelve Principles for Transforming Organizations. Richard C. Reale; Positive Impact Associates, Inc.; Park Ridge, NJ; 2005; 176 pages. The experienced author explores the reasons why change fails. He offers twelve down-to-earth practical principles for building and leading change-capable organizations. Ideas, examples, and guidance on presenting and managing change in more positive and productive ways are presented to help employees become more adaptable and resilient.
6. Good to Great and the Social Sectors: A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great. Jim Collins; HarpersCollins: New York; 2005; 42 pages. The author describes the concepts of good to great in the social sector, including measuring success in non-monetary metrics, recruiting and motivating a poorly-paid or unpaid staff, thinking differently about restricted funds, and transcending problems.
7. Stick Your Neck Out: A Street-Smart Guide to Creating Change in Your Community and Beyond. John Graham; Berrett-Koehler Publishers: San Francisco; 2005; 220 pages. This practical and inspiring guide explains the skills, qualities and strategies needed to effectively create change by someone who has spent a lifetime as a diplomat. Dozens of true stories of how ordinary citizens have successfully tackled serious problems within their community, including poverty, racism, gang violence, and many others are included.
8. The Heart of Change Field Guide: Tools and Tactics for Leading Change in Your Organization. Dan Cohen; Harvard Business School Press: Watertown, MA; 2005; 160 pages. This well received book provides a practical, hands-on step-by-step guide to organizational change and how to make it stick. It provides a customizable tool filled with practical examples, worksheets, checklists, success stories, and advice.
9. The Ant and the Elephant: Leadership for the Self. Vince Poscente; CornerStone Leadership Institute; 2004; 130 pages. This highly-rated humorous and motivational book discusses five strategic steps for a better professional and personal life that include clarifying your vision, committing to cultivating positive thoughts, consistently focusing on performance, strengthening confidence, and controlling the response to any situation through an entertaining allegory.
10. Guiding Growth: How Vision Keeps Companies on Course. Mark Lipton; Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation; 2003; 288 pages. This book is based on the author’s extensive research and consulting work with companies. It discusses how to create a compelling and actionable vision framework, communicate the vision effectively, form and maintain a growth-enabling culture, counteract resistance to change, and embed the vision in day-to-day functioning.
11. Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change (2nd Edition). William Bridges; Perseus Books Group: Cambridge, MA; 2003; 144 pages. The author is a veteran business consultant who explains in detail that successful organizational transitions take place when employees have a purpose, a mental picture, a plan for, and a part to play in change. Practical step-by-step strategies for effectively managing transitions and minimizing disruptions are provided.
12. Managing Change and Transition. Richard Luecke; Harvard Business School Press: Watertown, MA; 2003; 138 pages. This guide offers advice on how to recognize the need for organizational change, communicate the vision, prepare during transition, address emotional responses to downsizing, manage stress levels, and help people constructively cope with change.
13. The Heart of Change: Real-Life Stories of How People Change Their Organizations. John P. Kotter & Dan S. Cohen; Harvard Business School Press: Watertown, MA; 2002; 208 pages. Based on interviews with over one hundred organizations in the midst of large-scale change, thirty-four of the most vivid and instructive stories were chosen for this book. The authors introduce a new dynamic, "see-feel-change" that fuels action by showing people potent reasons for change that spark their emotions and appeal to their hearts.
14. Breakthrough Thinking for Nonprofit Organizations: Creative Strategies for Extraordinary Results. Bernard Ross & Clare Segal; Jossey-Bass: San Francisco; 2002; 288 pages. The authors provide many case studies and ideas on how to think in creative ways, meet challenges, improve day-to-day performance and deal with resistance to change. Examples of best practices and exercises on how to cope with change are provided.
15. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don't. Jim Collins; HarpersCollins Publishers Inc.: New York; 2001; 300 pages. This book explores what makes companies great (promoting a culture where people think and act in a disciplined manner) after the author and his team sorted through 1,435 companies and settled on 11. Dozens of stories and tips from the great and not so great.

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