Managing Changes
Managing Changes
How many changes have you already dealt with in your life? Did you welcome them as an opportunity, or did you feel like you were in difficulty? Let’s see how to best address them, both in your private life and at work.
Course description
The only constant in our lives is change. Sometimes, we consciously decide to make a change in our lives (eg. when we change jobs, or when we move to a new city); at other times the environment changes around us, forcing us to adapt to new conditions. Sometimes change is a moment of joy and curiosity for new things, at others it represents a period of grief and mourning for what we leave behind. Sometimes change is evident, profound and irreversible, sometimes it takes place in a more subtle way, via a long and inexorable process. But in any situation, change represents the end of one state and the beginning of another. Change often means abandoning old habits and certainties to open up to the new and unexplored. Each period of learning in our lives is based on this concept: only thanks to courage and the will to get out of your zone of comfort, can you learn new skills and abilities. It is not the change in itself that scares us, but the idea that we create of it. We rush to label the new situation as good or bad luck, but it is our subjective interpretation of the facts that will impact how we experience the moment of change. How many times have we cried in front of a door that is closed to us, regardless of the door that was opening up somewhere else? In this course, you will learn the main dynamics related to personal and professional individual moments of change. Knowing the dynamics, it will be easier to be aware of emotions (your own and of others) that any change brings. You will learn to face resistance more effectively and develop specific skills for managing the process of change with increased awareness and self-confidence.
This MOOC is provided by Politecnico di Milano.
Total workload of the course: 15 hours
Intended Learning Outcomes
By actively participating in this MOOC, you will achieve different intended learning outcomes (ILOs).
- Recognize and describe the main dynamics related to specific moments of change, both at personal and professional level
- Alter one’s attitude or behaviour to accommodate modifications in the workplace
ESCO A1.1: adapt to change - Handle challenges, disruption and change and recover from set-backs and adversity
ESCO A1.4: cope with pressure - Tolerate and work constructively within unexpected and unpredictable situations
ESCO A1.5: deal with uncertainty - Show a positive attitude towards new and challenging demands that can only be met via lifelong learning
ESCO A1.8: demonstrate willingness to learn - Engage with others according to the normal customs and expectations of contemporary social behaviour, appropriate to the context
ESCO A2.2.0: demonstrate good manners
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to take this course, but all of your personal experiences related to change management will be a useful starting point.
Activities
In the course participants will find tools and practical activities which provide stimuli to reflect on one’s own attitude toward changes.
At the end of the MOOC participants can improve their learning experience with two Role Play activities, in which to experiment different reactions to changing situations and explore the consequences of their choices.
Self-reflection activities and Role Plays are not subject to assessment and participants can explore them as many times as needed.
Section outline
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Week 1 invites you to reflect on the role of change as a frequent and essential part of everyone’s life. You will explore how the success of any change is deeply influenced by the emotional approach you take in facing it. This week emphasizes how that emotional response is closely tied to your inner dialogue and self-perception. You will also consider the difference between change and transformation and reflect on the deeper causes that often drive change. In addition, you’ll examine the strong connection between learning and change and become familiar with the key factors that contribute to making change successful and sustainable.
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Week 2 explores the nature of change and how it unfolds through a series of recurring stages. You will be introduced to two influential models that help us understand change from complementary perspectives. From an external viewpoint, you will examine Kurt Lewin’s Unfreeze-Change-Refreeze (UCF) model, which emphasizes the actions and steps involved in managing change. Simultaneously, you will delve into the internal, psychological experience of change through the Kübler-Ross model, which highlights the emotional and mental processes individuals go through when faced with change. By the end of the week, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how change occurs, both in terms of observable actions and the internal experiences of those involved.
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In Week 3, you will learn to recognize and re-recognize difficult moments that can arise during a change process. You will analyze the specific characteristics of the critical moment of transition, gaining insight into what makes these periods particularly challenging. You will also discover how individual reactions to change are influenced by personal experiences and by the benefits that can be gained from the change itself. Finally, you will get to know different ways of dealing with change, equipping yourself with strategies to navigate transitions more effectively.
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Week 4, focuses on how companies can deal with people’s resistance during the change process. It covers how organizations should handle communication in a proposed change, highlighting both effective practices and pitfalls to avoid. You will also get to know the main communication tools that can support a proposed change. Additionally, this week emphasizes the aspects that need careful attention for the control and monitoring of an initiated project.
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Week 5 focuses on the essential skills needed for effective change management beyond technical abilities. You will learn about the importance of transversal skills and the role of self-awareness in this process. The week also covers the concept of mental openness and its connection to your ability to restructure your reality. Additionally, you will explore what flexibility means in change management and the value of adopting a “beginner's mind.” Finally, this week highlights the importance of resilience in successfully making changes, staying firm right to the end.
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Assessment
Your final grade for the course will be based on the results of your answers to the assessed quizzes. You have an unlimited number of attempts at each quiz, but you must wait 15 minutes before you can try again. You will have successfully completed the course if you score a total of 60% (or higher) in each of the assessed quizzes.
The maximum score possible for each quiz is given at the beginning of the quiz. You can view your score in the quiz on your last attempt or on the 'Grades' page.
Certificate
You can achieve a certificate in the form of an Open Badge for this course, if you obtain, at least, 60% of the total score in the graded quizzes and by filling in the final survey.
Once you have completed the required tasks, you will be able to access ‘Get the Open Badge’ and start issuing the badge. Instructions on how to access the badge will be sent to your e-mail address.
The Badge does not confer any academic credit, grade or degree.
Information about fees and access to materials
You can access the course absolutely free of charge and completely online.
Course faculty
Ingrid Hollweck
Teacher
Ingrid Hollweck graduated in Economics and Commerce from the Otto Friedrich Universität, Bamberg (Germany) and earned a Master in Business Administration from SDA Bocconi, Milan (Italy). She has been dealing with the development of people, teams and organizations, first within the companies for which he worked, then as a consultant, for 18 years. Ingrid Hollweck is an I.C.F (International Coach Federation) certified coach. She has been working as an Executive & Corporate Coach for companies for 10 years. Other than that, she is a lecturer and facilitator for seminars on the topics of leadership and organisational behaviour.
Contact details
If you have any enquiries about the course or if you need technical assistance please contact pok@polimi.it. For further information, see FAQ page.