Force Field Framework – Managing Change
Introduction
Change management refers to the process of systematically approaching and applying knowledge, resources and tools to face a change. It incorporates adoption and definition of corporate strategies, structures and procedures to manage a change (Oreg, 2003). In this discussion, I will talk about introducing a new change in my personal life, which is basically learning a new language; Spanish. Learning a new language basically refers to introducing oneself to a language that you are unfamiliar with, or not well-versed with (Dick, 2019). This process can be quite daunting at first, but, it gets easier as one progresses with the plan (Gatenby, 2013). An implementation plan will be on how I plan to go about learning this new language (Spanish) is provided. This discussion also touches on the challenges of learning an entirely new language and how one could possibly overcome them. Force Field Framework will be applied in analyzing the selected area for change.
The reason as to why I chose this change is that leaning Spanish language comes with so many benefits, some of which include; being able to speak with Spanish speakers, being able to understand and appreciate a new culture, and learning new ways/skills of communicating with foreign language people (Victoria, 2019). However, the major reason as to why I chose to learn this language (Spanish) is the fact that it will greatly enhance my resume/curriculum vitae. According to (Mascareno, 2005), bilingual people are more competitive at workplace. Also, bilingual people have a wider access to career opportunities.
Rationale, Nature, and Timeframe of the Change
To achieve this change, i.e., learning Spanish language, I plan to apply the following steps in order to successfully implement the language transition:
- Setting goals: My main goals are to be able to comprehend everything I hear or read in Spanish and to be able to fluently express myself using Spanish language.
- Timeframe: The above set goals are meant to be attained in a timeframe of one year.
- Finding out where I stand the moment: I plan to take an examination in Spanish before I start studying the language. The motive of this examination will be to find a basement on where I should begin, and the areas I am supposed to focus on. The examination will cover reading, writing, listening and speaking. There is no reading or cramming that will be done prior to the examination.
- Finding a tutor: After knowing the areas that I need to put most effort on, I will find a tutor who will help me though those. Weekly presentations to the tutor on my progress will be done so as to get guidance.
- Reading a Spanish book every month: Each month, I will read a novel in Spanish that written by a Spanish author and try to summarize what I understand from the book. The summary will be presented to the tutor to help in assessing my progress. Writing the summary in Spanish will help in improving the skill of writing in this new language.
- Practice speaking Spanish frequently: I will try to use the Spanish knowledge I am gaining from the process to communicate with it more often. This is likely to improve the speed of attaining my set goals.
- Weekly language coaching by my tutor: Each week, there will be a weekly language coaching by my tutor, which will be done through zoom meeting.
By properly integrating these techniques, and closely working with the Spanish tutor, while interacting with people speaking Espanyol, this goal with be achieved within the next 12-months/ one year.
Force Field Analysis of the Change
Below is an analysis of the forces for and against the change, using the Force Field Framework for change:
| Forces for Change | Score
(out of 5, where 1 is weak and 5 is strong) |
Change proposal | Forces against change | Score
(out of 5 where 1 is weak and 5 is strong) |
| My resume is going to be improved once I gain an additional language.
|
4 | The change I am undertaking is learning Spanish language fully.
The goal is to be able to express myself fully using Spanish language by the end of one year. Also, to be able to comprehend everything I read or hear in Spanish by the end of one year. |
The fear of investing into the plan and not attaining my goals. | 3 |
| I will be able to understand an entirely new culture.
|
2 | Balancing between learning Spanish and managing my studies may pose a challenge. | 3 | |
| I will be open to more career opportunities upon learning a new language. | 4 | The process of learning the language is quite long and interest might diminish before the finish line. | 4 | |
| I have great interest in learning Spanish and therefore the self-motivation will make the process bearable. | 5 | Although my tutor is the best for me, he is quite expensive hence a lot of money will be spent in the process of seeking to attain my goals. | 3 | |
| I have access to Spanish language materials. I can easily get novels and books written in Spanish and by a Spanish writer. | 2 | I might develop weaker verbal skills while trying to learn Spanish. | 1 | |
| The tutor I chose is both competent and patient. | There is the possibility of losing proficiency in my native language as I will be trying to use Spanish in most of the aspects of my life for a period of one year. | |||
| Since this will not be fulltime learning program, other fields of my life will not be affected. | 2 | Learning a new language is known to be difficult and challenging and therefore the process is likely to be draining. | 3 | |
| I am likely to become more creative by the end of the process. | 4 | I may get carried away and end up neglecting other aspects of my life. Creating time for recreational activities may be difficult. | 1 | |
| Total Score | Total Score | |||
| 23 | 18 |
Critical Assessment of Resistance to Change
Resistance from learning a new language is likely to be coming from within an individual (Ariza, 2004). Some of the possible resistance to learning Spanish are:
- The fear of the unknown. For instance, the feeling that the process of learning Spanish will be draining, overwhelming and too demanding in terms of time such that I will lack time for recreational activities. The fear that I may not be able to accomplish my goals by the end of the process that will take one year can also be classified as the fear of the unknown.
- The weakness of the prosed change, which is learning a new language, that is Spanish, is also likely to impose resistance. The major weakness of the prosed change is the usefulness of the language gain (Ren, 2019). The benefits that come with learning Spanish will mostly be useful if one is able to travel (D’Alessio, 2017). For example, improving my resume and exposing me to a wider range of career opportunities may translate into working outside my country.
- There is a likelihood of increased workload. Having to deal with studies, personal life yet adding the study of a foreign language into that sounds like too much work, hence resistance is likely to set in.
- Short timeframe. Since my goal is set to be attained in a period of one year, there is a chance that the pressure from within to meet my goal within the set time may bring about resistance to beginning the process of change.
Realistic Plan to overcome Resistance to Change
To discuss how I plan to overcome the chances of resistance to the new change I am about to embrace, I have applied Kurt Lewin’s planned approach to change as explained by (Lei, 2018):
- Stage 1: Unfreezing – To kick-start the process of learning Spanish, I will look for ways of boosting my willpower to take up the change. This will be attained through focusing on the likely benefits of gaining knowledge and proficiency on Spanish language, rather than the challenges I am likely to face in the process.
- Stage 2: Change – Immediately I manage to convince myself about the importance of learning Spanish, I will take up the process and begin to face the change. To avoid demotivation, I will apply a reinforcement strategy where I celebrate and reward myself on every little milestone or achievement I get in the process. For instance, I will celebrate small wins like learning the first one hundred most popular Spanish words.
- Stage 3: Refreezing – In order to fully accept the process of learning Spanish, I will keep on recognizing aspects that I feared would be difficult yet I manage to pull through. For instance, self-motivation will kill the fear of getting drained through the process. The process will therefore become more manageable and self-believe will be boosted.
Conclusion
Taking up change is quite challenging for both an individual and an organization. Reinforcement goes a long way into accepting and managing change. In this case, my successful learning of the new language (Spanish) will depend on my ability, readiness, and willingness to accept change. In life, people learn through learning, unlearning, and relearning.
References
Ariza, E. N., 2004. Torn between Two Worlds: Overcoming Resistance to Second-Language Learning. The Clearing House, 77(3), pp. 105-107.
D’Alessio, F., 2017. Benefits of Learning Spanish. [Online] Available at: https://flashacademy.com/learners/spanish/benefits-of-learning-spanish/#:~:text=Other%20benefits%20of%20learning%20a,more%20attractive%20than%20monolingual%20speakers.
[Accessed 2020].
Dick, K., 2019. The Importance of Language Learning. Europe Language Jobs, 31(4), p. 57.
Gatenby, E. V., 2013. THE NATURAL PROCESS OF LANGUAGE LEARNING. AATSEEL Journal, 14(2), pp. 36-43.
Lei, S., 2018. Kurt Lewin’s change model: A critical review of the role of leadership and employee involvement in organizational change. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 3(3), pp. 123-127.
Levine, S. R., 2017. Why Is Implementing Change So Hard?. STRENGTHENING LEADERS & ORGANIZATIONS TO GET RESULTS, 2(2), pp. 87-92.
Mascareno, B., 2005. Benefits of learning Spanish for career advancement. Learning Spanish, 34(1), pp. 17-26.
Oreg, S., 2003. Resistance to Change: Developing an Individual Differences Measure. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(4), p. 680.
Ren, W., 2019. Motivation for Learning Spanish as a Foreign Language. LOTE motivation of Chinese university students, 4(2), pp. 79-98.
Victoria, 2019. 11 Great Benefits of Learning Spanish. [Online] Available at: https://spanishlandschool.com/benefits-of-learning-spanish/#:~:text=Learning%20a%20second%20language%20helps,and%20other%20forms%20of%20dementia.&text=Studies%20have%20shown%20that%20bilinguals,years%20of%20your%20life%20back!
[Accessed 2020].