Introduction
Communities need to function optimally to allow all members to complete their tasks successfully and record meaningful social mobilities. Politicians, policymakers, and leaders should collaborate and implement appropriate programs that can meet the demands of the greatest majority. Societies tend to encounter various challenges and gaps that can affect the recorded outcomes. The proposed change in the selected community revolves around the introduction of new practices and guidelines to promote healthy behaviors. This paper gives a detailed description of the intended initiative.
Context for the Change
Community organizers and social workers apply their skills efficiently to identify and address most of the challenges affecting the people they serve. Some of the common problems include juvenile delinquency, racism, discrimination, inequality, poverty, poor health outcomes, and unemployment (Northouse, 2018). The professionals work with local communities to identify some of the challenges affecting the experiences of the greatest majority. The acquired knowledge becomes the best principle or framework for providing sustainable services and support systems that are customized in accordance with the demands of the targeted people.
In the selected community, most of the people are facing various health problems, such as obesity, overweight, and diabetes. These conditions are attributable to poor lifestyles and behaviors, lack of proper information, and failure to exercise. Past studies have offered convincing information regarding the nature of this problem in the United States. For instance, Mansaray (2019) observed that around 70 million individuals in the country were obese. The number of overweight citizens stood at around 99 million (Northouse, 2018). This problem affects both men and women. Chandler and Kirsch (2017) believe that such health problems are critical risk factors for various illnesses, such as coronary artery disease, cancers, stroke, and type 2 diabetes (Northouse, 2018). Unless the relevant professionals implement proper strategies and solutions, these problems can result in increased mortality and affect the overall performance of a region’s economy.
Change Agents
The identified predicaments are capable of disorienting the health experiences and outcomes of many patients. The best solution entails the introduction of a new change whereby different stakeholders will collaborate and guide more people to engage in proper health behaviors (Mansaray, 2019). The proposed program seeks to educate more people in the community about the importance of maintaining or checking their body mass indexes (BMIs). The beneficiaries will also acquire new insights for engaging in exercises frequently and eating healthy.
The relevant change agents who can ensure that positive results are recorded include community organizers, nutritionists, social workers, and human services professionals. These actors will identify specific individuals to be part of the required team. Such a team will then appoint a leader whose role is to coordinate the conducted activities, mentor followers, communicate efficiently to followers, and solve emerging issues (Northouse, 2018). Community members will also appoint representatives and coordinators who will liaise with the team and provide timely information.
Opportunities and Constraints
The current scenario presents several opportunities and constraints that might have significant implications on the anticipated results. For instance, the appointed leader stands a chance to apply the concepts and theories of management studied in class to change the current situation (Chandler & Kirsch, 2017). Such an approach will present new opportunities for guiding the team members, solving recorded challenges, and providing personalized support (Chandler & Kirsch, 2017). The involved professionals have a proper understanding of the major processes and strategies required to implement organizational change. These attributes will ensure that the change is successful.
The targeted beneficiaries are aware of some of the best practices for managing obesity and getting rid of some of the opportunistic conditions. This reality means that the involved participants will complete the change within a short period. The willingness of more people to improve their health experiences and conditions is a new opportunity for the intended transformation (Wakumbe, 2016). This aspect will encourage the beneficiaries to be involved and become part of the proposed transformation.
However, some constraints might affect the nature and effectiveness of the intended process. First, some of the change agents and citizens might be unsupportive. Different theories indicate that resistance is one of the major obstacles many leaders encounter want trying to introduce new practices. Second, the involved team might be unable to acquire the relevant materials and resources to support and sustain the entire project (Wakumbe, 2016). However, the presence of competent leader will minimize the potential impact of these constraints and eventually ensure that meaningful gains are realized in the identified community.
Leader Actions and Processes
The success of any change process depends on the actions and involvements of the leaders. The first initiative that the professionals will have to consider is that of an effective theory. For instance, Kurt Lewin’s model is an outstanding framework that many people have applied in their communities and organizational settings to achieve the intended goals (Mansaray, 2019). The leaders behind the suggested community change will need to consider the best theory to manage the intended actions, prepare the beneficiaries, and solve challenges that might emerge. A good change will also create room for supporting the process and making it part of the selected community.
Second, the people in charge of the project will have to apply the most appropriate skills and attributes. For instance, Mansaray (2019) encourages leaders to communicate effectively, solve emerging challenges and differences, listen attentively, and provide the relevant empowerment. This analysis explains why there is a need for the team to create a positive culture that will resonate with the unique demands of the targeted beneficiaries. Such actions will improve the level of involvement and ensure that positive results are recorded. Third, the leader tasked with the initiative will ensure that the followers receive timely resources and equipment to support the entire process (Chandler & Kirsch, 2017). Such individuals will solve most of the emerging issues and complete their tasks in a timely manner.
Various processes will be essential to support the intended change and ensure that it meets the demands of the beneficiaries. For instance, the professionals will have to conduct several campaigns that will educate most of the people about the importance of the intended change. The individuals will also engage in one-on-one sessions that will allow most of the community members to receive personalized information (Chandler & Kirsch, 2017). The recruited social workers and other participants will provide additional instructions and guidelines to ensure that obese persons receive the intended medical support.
The idea of continuous learning will become an effective initiative for allowing community members to acquire additional insights for managing their BMIs. The leader will also monitor the effectiveness of the implemented activities frequently to ensure that they deliver the intended outcomes in a timely manner (Mansaray, 2019). These processes will make the proposed change initiative successful and capable of delivering admirable results in the community. Consequently, most of the beneficiaries will record positive health outcomes.
Logic Model
Table 1. Logic Model
Conclusion
The above discussion has described a community change initiative that is capable of supporting the demands of more obese and overweight citizens. The relevant health professionals, social workers, and policymakers will need to collaborate and appoint a competent leader to support the entire initiative. The involvement of all the key stakeholders will monitor the proposed change and ensure that it delivers desirable results. The outlined logic model will guide the entire process, encourage more people to be involved, and eventually make it possible for more community members to overcome the challenges of obesity.
References
Chandler, J. L. S., & Kirsch, R. E. (2017). Addressing race and culture within a critical leadership approach [PDF document].
Mansaray, H. E. (2019). The role of leadership style in organisational change management: A literature review. Journal of Human Resource Management, 7(1), 18-31.
Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership theory and practice (8th ed). Sage.
Wakumbe, W. (2016). Predictors of effective change management: A literature review. African Journal of Business Management, 10(23), 585-593.