Making Change Stick: Twelve Principles for Transforming Organizations

By Richard C. Reale

Organizationally and individually, to change is to choose. These twelve principles make the choices easier. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0976850109
• ISBN13: 9780976850106
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Positive Impact Associates, Incorporated
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

How to transform an organization within a continuous and disciplined process

Those who are preparing to launch change initiatives or who have only recently done so would be well-advised to consider the truth of what Peter Drucker suggested more than 40 years ago: "There is surely nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency what should not be done at all." In this volume, Richard C. Reale identifies and then examines twelve principles that can help to guide and inform the formulation and execution of initiatives that can transform any organization, whatever its size and nature may be. He devotes a separate chapter to each principle, none of which is a head-snapping revelation nor does Reale make any such claim. Of special interest to me is his clever use of various reader-friendly devices such as "Questions to Ponder" and "putting the Principle into Practice" with which he concludes chapters. They focus on key issues and summarize key points that facilitate, indeed expedite frequent reviews of the material after a first reading. They also serve as "gut checks" that enable the reader to evaluate the progress of change initiatives and to measure their effectiveness throughout various stages of the change initiative process. I also appreciate the provision of relevant quotations from various sources. For example: "The significant problems we face today cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." Albert Einstein "On a group of theories one can found a school; but on a group of values one can found a culture." Ignazio Silone "We see the world not as it is, but as we are." The Talmud "Scalded cats fear even cold water." Thomas Fuller "One great mistake is to try to extract from each person virtues which he does not possess, neglecting the cultivation of those which he does have." Hadrian All change initiatives encounter resistance and many barriers are the result of what James O'Toole has aptly characterizes as "the ideology of comfort and the tyranny of custom." Reale offers a number of strategies and tactics to overcome resistance but reiterates throughout his narrative of setting crystal clear objectives ("know where you are going"), validate the assumptions and premises on which the action plan is based ("challenge your thinking"), establish a broad and deep base of participation by others ("Involve and be involved"), maintain proper alignment of initiatives and resources with the given strategy to achieve objectives ("align your culture'), and rigorously monitor progress throughout the entire process ("measure stuff that matters"). I presume to add that unless and until those involved, especially leaders, nail these and other fundamentals, much of the resistance to change initiatives will be justified. Presumably Reale agrees with me that it would be a fool's errand to read his book and then attempt to adopt and then apply all of the material he provides. Think of his book as an operations manual for organizational transformation. It can guide and inform both the

A wonderful resource for change management

Two figures stand out when reading this book: twelve and twenty. What do they have in common? The same man, Richard C. Reale. For twenty years, he's studied why change fails and why it succeeds. Then he boiled down his knowledge base into twelve principles that are absolutely necessary if change is to happen correctly and last in an organization. The amazing thing is that these principles will not only ensure the success of a transformation, but will pay dividends in the long run, by having made an organization more change-capable. So what's missing? What's causing organizations to fail when implementing change? The most common reason is the "failure to consider the human side of change." It's easy enough to draw the roadmap. The hardest part is the execution, the fulfillment of that plan. If you don't believe it, just look at the last time you resolved to do something. What was harder: making the decision and putting some thought into how to best achieve it, or actually doing what you planned? The twelve principles outlined in this book allow organizational leaders to focus on the people, and to empower them to bring change to fruition. It's about setting down the right process for change, and following along closely, making sure change is proceeding as planned. It's about walking the talk, and encouraging people to do the same by praising their efforts to change, and setting them up for success. It's about monitoring the right metrics, the ones that will tell you how you're really doing. In theory, it doesn't sound hard, but in practice, it's another story. Fortunately, the author explains every one of the twelve principles in detail, and the examples he gives clearly illustrate the point. Inspirational quotes from notable personalities are also provided, to help drive home the point. This book is a wonderful resource. Twenty years of "on-the-job" experience can't be wrong. The author's expertise shows, and will help guide the book's readers toward that great goal of organizational change, which is a hard goal to achieve indeed. If individual change is hard, organizational change is orders of magnitude harder - but this book will show you how to do it successfully. Get it, and achieve lasting change!

Down-to-Earth and Real--By Reale

Rich Reale has written a marvelous book. He has precise and very specific pointers about how to succeed in managing any kind of group--and I'm in education not business--and it's loaded with anecdotes of the experiences he's had. Further, he stresses honesty and frankness in all dealings. How refreshing! Read this book and change how you deal with the people you work with every day.

Making Change Stick not just another Leadership Book

Rich Reale gives great insight to importance of understanding change and it's many facets for any type of Leader. He gives extraordinary stories of leading and transforming many organizations as well as, the physcological and scientific importance of understanding how people will react to or handle change. A Must Read Book: Whether you are now in Leadership or moving towards your quest of leadership this book will create a core foundation of understanding how to handle change and "Lead it towards Success" "Put this one in your library and you will use it for all of your Leadership Challenges in years to come".

Excellent guidance on how to achieve successful, lasting change

Rich Reale does a superb job of pinpointing and explaining what is necessary to achieve lasting and highly effective change within an organization. He marks out the trajectory toward success with unusual insight and skill by providing 12 clear principles that will ensure lasting, effective organizational transformation if they are put into effect. The book is engaging, and the anecdotes are fascinating. Rich Reale employs powerful examples and real-life circumstances that draw the reader into the text and provide a deeper understanding of how to move an organization from a standstill into a successful and lasting transformation. This is not just another book on organizational change. It is evident Rich Reale not only understands what makes for corporate growth and success, but that he also possesses an unusually keen understanding of human nature, and how this impacts an organization's growth and development. He shows how this is one of the most essential elements of achieving lasting, successful change: knowing what makes your people tick and how to build upon that in the transformation process. I found the book interesting, engrossing and enjoyable. I especially appreciated the realism that the author displays in recognizing what the human person needs in order to be drawn into the often difficult and challenging aspects of organizational change, changing them from apathetic observers, to enthusiastic proponents of lasting change. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book as a highly useful, engaging and worthwhile read.