Change: How to Turn Uncertainty Into Opportunity

by Curtis Bateman, Marche Pleshette, Andy Cindrich

"...a must-read for those seeking to thrive in an increasingly dynamic world and for leaders who have teams that are experiencing change." — Amazon review #1 New Release in Business Mentoring & Coaching, Decision-Making & Problem Solving, Social Customs & Traditions, and Business Management
While every change is unique, there is a predictable pattern to change. Understand that pattern, and you can turn change into opportunity! Change is inevitable.  When unexpected or unwanted change disrupts well-established routines, personally and professionally, it’s natural to wonder, “Who rocked the boat?” Unfortunately, that is exactly the wrong question to ask! Discover from the change experts with decades of experience at FranklinCovey how successful leaders engage people experiencing change and turn change into opportunity. FranklinCovey is the world leader in helping organizations achieve results that require collective behavior change.  They have built a Change Model that demystifies the uncertainty of change and creates the opportunity to realize greater results, personal growth, and even innovation. A simple but profound business parable.  How to Turn Uncertainty Into Opportunity  begins with a business parable that invites leaders to reflect on their own change journey and discover how their “crew” falls into a set of predicable patterns and reactions. Whatever the size or scope of the change you’re facing, by following the story’s Change Model you can confidently lead and chart a way forward knowing what will come next. Inside If you have read Who Moved My Cheese ,  Switch ,  Our Iceberg is Melting , or  Managing Transitions , you will love this book.

Genres: Nonfiction

260 pages, Hardcover

Published April 18, 2023

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit going into this book with hesitation as Covey's organization has, in the past, been based on religious tenets and I'm just saturated in that so much in the South that I can't take a work book club requiring me to invest in the LDS beliefs.

However, I was very wrong and this book is secular in nature and has fun metaphors throughout to lead discussions and understanding of the change process. I'm a fan of this book.

[BenJoe Markland · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Change: How to turn uncertainty into opportunity" is an outstanding book that motivates leaders to drive change successfully by offering practical advice and real-world examples to navigate change. The book is a step-by-step guide that emphasizes the importance of embracing change and transforming it into an opportunity.

One of the most noteworthy features of the book is the author's belief that change is inevitable, and those who resist it will be left behind. They provide valuable insights on how to approach change positively, embrace the challenges it brings, and lead others through it. The book also emphasizes the importance of effective leadership in driving successful change, encouraging leaders to create a shared vision, build trust, and foster collaboration.

What I found unique about "Change" is the author's emphasis on the significance of emotional intelligence in driving change. They acknowledge that change is often met with resistance and leaders need to manage their own emotions and those of others to overcome these barriers. The book provides practical advice on developing emotional intelligence and using it to build stronger relationships and inspire change.

Furthermore, the book breaks down the model of change starting with the Status Quo, then disruption, adoption, and finally innovation. It breaks down these zones and shows the way to navigate them as you take advantage of change.

In conclusion, "Change: How to turn uncertainty into opportunity" is a must-read for leaders looking to navigate change successfully. The book offers practical advice, real-world examples, and a step-by-step guide that will inspire and motivate leaders to drive change. It emphasizes that change is an opportunity, and this book provides the necessary tools to seize that opportunity and lead others through it.

[Almachius · Rating 2 out of 5]

Change: How to Turn What Could Have Been A Helpful Infographic Into A Well-Meaning But Painfully TED-Talk-y-ish Book Written For Illiterate Manager Types Which At Least Makes The Contributors Feel Like They've Written A Book So They Can Put Author On Their LinkedIn Page.

But not one star. The "fable" it begins with is not without merit, and there are several managers, no doubt, who would benefit from actually reading it, especially the various suggestions that touch on allowing your staff to be innovative.

One problem is that the very sort of managers this is aimed at- in my limited experience, that is - aren't in the habit of reading, busy as they are with important-ness. Which is why, wisely, I'm sure, this sort of "book" needs so many illustrations (even drawings of the many "authors"), graphs upon graphs, so much pseudo-sophisticated-simpleton speak, and reams of repetition. It makes me twitch, so much so that I left the last few pages unread for more than six months.

However, a certain app that buys books was happy to take it off my hands for 90p which puts its market value well above the average of the 200 or so books I've sold in the last week, and for that reason alone, I thought I ought to pick it up again, finish it and find the brilliant ending that makes it so much more desirable than The Aeneid and Umberto Eco's How To Travel With A Salmon combined. Nope.

[Denise Griffitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Change: How to Turn Uncertainty into Opportunity, co-authored by Curtis Bateman, Marché Pleshette, Andy Cindrich, and Christi Phillips, Ph.D., is a practical guide for leaders facing the inevitability of change. Drawing on their extensive experience at FranklinCovey, the authors present a Change Model that demystifies the complexities of organizational change and emphasizes the importance of engaging teams effectively.

The book begins with a business parable that illustrates common reactions to change and provides a framework for understanding the predictable patterns that emerge during transitions. It highlights the significance of emotional intelligence in managing both personal and team dynamics amidst change, offering actionable strategies to foster collaboration and build trust.

I appreciate the book's clear structure, which includes step-by-step instructions for navigating change, minimizing disruptions, and adapting strategies to ensure success. The insights shared make it a valuable resource not just for leaders but for anyone looking to turn uncertainty into opportunity in an ever-evolving business landscape.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very insightful book with a ton of great material. I would recommend that any leaders read the whole thing first then keep it handy as a resource to use while navigating change with their teams. The Coaches Corner sections are great and would be very useful to use when leading a team through a change effort. The format of the Coaches Corner sections are also very easy to find within the book.

[Germán Monroy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very difficult book to read due to the repetitive examples. The fabule explained at the beggining goes all the way in the book and that makes it boring and shows lack of creativity. I bought the book in a store at the airport because I saw “Stephen R. Covey” on the cover but found nothing worthy in it.

[Scott Kuffel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breaking change into a workable model

The Franklin Covey people have written a great accompaniment to Four Disciplines of Execution. The examples they shared are very accessible and the graphs are very helpful to understanding the model.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Items of Note:
* You can either get owned by change or decide to own change yourself.
* While every change is unique, there is a predictable pattern to change. Understand that pattern, and you can turn change into opportunity!
* Innovation emerges when we embrace change rather than fear it.

[van1998 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Success, Value -> Failure, Shame