University of Southern Maine Everything You Need to Know About Getting Started as a Change Agent But Were Afraid to Ask (and that fits in 15 minutes) Jennifer Karlin, Ph.D. University of Southern Maine Jennifer.Karlin@maine.edu @MeRTEC_USM

Karlin, et al, ASEE 2016 @MeRTEC_USM

Do you need “hand tools” or “power tools”? HomeDepot.com WhiteChurchBuilders.Co.UK @MeRTEC_USM

Founding Axioms when viewed by someone from another system of thought, the ideas that “make sense” and “are obvious” in one system might not be sensible or obvious at all to someone from another system

Managing Complex Change Confusion Skills Incentives Resources Action Plan Change Vision Anxiety Gradual Frustration False Starts @MeRTEC_USM

Building Change in the Real World: The “Swiss Cheese Theory of Change” @MeRTEC_USM

Learning Pockets: The “Holes in the Cheese” Subculture differs from whole organization culture Dominant culture sufficiently developed to have strongly supportive infrastructure More than just a subculture Internal artifacts and infrastructure may differ significantly from dominant Interfaces implemented by local leadership to protect pocket while satisfying organization @MeRTEC_USM

Start Here: Leverage Points Transparency willingness to allow others to inspect and understand how decisions are being made with relevant information to give and receive feedback Psychological Safety having a level of comfort to make errors within the different levels of an organization Organizational Commitment getting all levels of the organization and all individuals within it aligned on what the goals for the organization are @MeRTEC_USM

Building Change in the Real World: Becoming More “Holes” Than “Cheese” Source: natescartoons.blogspot.com @MeRTEC_USM