Managing Transition and Constant Change

by Al Siebert, Ph.D.

During any organizational change, the productive new form is reached more quickly and easily when managers implement a proactive plan for managing the transition process. Managers must cope well with employee resistance and use effective strategies for making things turn out well. Poorly managed transitions lead to low morale, increased stress claims, lower quality work, and good people quitting. During this retreat Dr. Al Siebert will draw on his extensive experience with governmental managers to show how to combine his survivor personality research findings with the work of William Bridges.

Possible topics to cover:

How to make changes go faster and easier by actively managing the transition process
How to develop change proficient employees
How to manage the decreased reliance on job descriptions by increasing self-reliance and professionalism in the work force
An essential management skill in times of change: managing with questions instead of managing with instructions
Methods for developing an agile, resilient, learning organization that thrives on change
Why effectiveness requires avoiding "Groupthink"
How to counteract negativity
How conflicts between people and groups can be made useful
How to work with transition teams
Valuable suggestions from William Bridges: How to manage transition in a way that strengthens the organization
How to help employees be more resilient and more professional
How to bring stability to chaos and turmoil
How to handle continuous pressure while getting more of the right things done by fewer people with less budget

Dr. Siebert taught seminars in management psychology for the Professional Development Center at Portland State University for over 30 years. A native Oregonian, Al is an ex-paratrooper and a graduate of Willamette University. He received his M.A. and his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Michigan. His public service includes serving for seven years on the Multnomah County School Board, being a volunteer rap group leader with Vietnam veterans, and volunteer consultant to the Northwest Indians Veterans Association.

Dr. Al Siebert is recipient of the Oregon's governor's award for his selection as the State of Oregon's 1993 "External Training Consultant of the Year" for his work during the layoff of 4000 state employees.

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