Course: Decision Making & Problem Solving

Organizational changes are something that people

frequently oppose - sometimes fiercely.

Moving Targets

Sam's boss, the principal of the elementary school,

resigned over summer vacation. Sam met the new principal

only briefly before going back to work in the fall. Sam

considers himself fortunate to make a living as a music

teacher, since many people who love music most certainly

cannot make a career of it. In the eyes of his former boss,

the beginner band and orchestra could not have been doing

better, based on the fact that Sam held well-attended

concerts anywhere from 4-6 times per year.

When the new principal started, it quickly became clear to

Sam that the criteria had changed. After many years of

believing that success was measured by the number of

concerts and attendees,

Sam began to realize that the new

principal defined success quite differently. Specifically, she

began insisting that Sam meet benchmark targets for things

like the number of students enrolled not only in his

programs but also in private music lessons outside of

school, along with reducing his budgetary needs

How could an organizational leader effectively help Sam

navigate this change? Specifically, what strategies will help

Sam adapt to defining success in a new and different way?