The concept “tempered radicals” as discussed in the article entitled Radical Change; the Quiet Way has been used to denote change agents or corporate professionals who work toward achieving effective changes in organizations (Meyerson 2001, p. 92). Such change agents often take radical measures that are risky.
From a careful review of literature, one can analyze that such agents are quiet leaders who offer inspiring alternatives to deviate from challenges in organizations. In this case, they act as catalysts in organizations by producing new ideas. Notably, the article reveals that “tempered radicals” have adaptive but diverse characteristics (Meyerson 2001, p. 92).
For instance, studies have shown that such agents hold different values in terms of sexual preference, norms and status quo. Moreover, differences in gender also affect their perception and approaches while running organizations. In this case, there exists a conflict especially when individual aspects do not conform to the prevailing culture in organizations.
Nevertheless, studies have shown that such leaders often try to conform to organizational culture irrespective of the individual differences. Needless to say, they like their jobs and hence work hard to see that the organizations succeed (Meyerson 2001, p. 92). That notwithstanding, the radicals use their individual differences as an impetus to foster constructive change.
Surprisingly, such agents work quietly and gently to ensure that they conform to organizational culture. In this case, they are able to overcome the prevailing challenges. In addition, they employ a form of leadership that is more localized, modest and less visible than it is the case with traditional norms. Moreover, the leadership is more diffuse and hence it is quite outstanding than any other form of leadership.
Besides, the study has revealed that these tempered radicals can be used to help senior managers to identify significant causes of discord in organizations. Moreover, since they are much dedicated to their organizations, they can also help top managers to come up with significant alternatives on how to adapt to the needs and circumstances that prevail in organizations. These agents only need a modicum support for them to experiment their excellent leadership skills.
In a shift of focus, there are numerous incremental approaches which can be used quietly by managers in order to create lasting change in troubled organizations. It is imperative to mention that discordances in organization occur when managers fail to navigate and allow their personal beliefs to conform to immediate cultures in organizations (Meyerson 2001, p. 93).
In this case, it is essential to draw some incremental approaches used by tempered radicals in order to ensure lasting changes in organizations. Genuinely speaking, there are four incremental approaches that can foster fundamental changes in organizations. Depending on the prevailing circumstance, each approach can be used in numerous ways. Nevertheless, managers need to have a lot of creativity and wit in order to achieve meaningful changes in organizations.
Nonetheless, disruptive self-expression is an approach whereby an individual acts in accordance to what is right (Meyerson 2001, p. 95). This approach is personal-based and it is perceived to be the most inconspicuous way of initiating change. Needless to say, this approach disrupts expectations of other people since it is a deliberate way of demonstrating one’s altitude and values. In this approach, there are numerous aspects that can be used to initiate change.
Within a short while, other people in the organization will take note of the changes and emulate them. It is essential to note that even the least form of disruptive self-expression has a significant effect and can trigger fundamental change. In this case, managers need to note that this approach should be self-affirming (Meyerson 2001, p. 96.
Besides, verbal jujitsu is an incremental approach that involves reacting against undesirable circumstances by turning them into a platform for change (Meyerson 2001, 96). For instance, managers should divert forces that face them into opportunities to bring about change in organizations.
This approach takes numerous forms. For example, a manager can decide to call to attention a prevailing challenge rather than ignoring it. By so doing, this will help to initiate meaningful changes without causing tensions or being accusatory to colleagues in the organization (Meyerson 2001, p. 97).
Generally, variable-term opportunism involves creative ways of developing opportunities (Meyerson 2001, p. 97). This implies that managers should be witty and ready to capitalize on unanticipated circumstances, whether positive or negative. This approach is based on the principles of spotting, creating and capitalizing on available opportunities. Moreover, through this approach, managers are able to recognize both short-term and long-term changes (Meyerson 2001, p. 97).
By so doing, they will seize the opportunity to motivate employees to work toward the desired changes. On the other hand, strategic-alliance building is an approach used by managers to achieve extensive changes in organizations. This approach uses conversation to inspire employees to engage in meeting the set goals (Meyerson 2001, p. 98). This approach is forceful since it operates on the majority perspective to bring about change.
To recap it all, tempered radicals are important in organizational change. Moreover, they act as catalysts by sparking out new ideas in organizations. Though they act quietly, the impacts of their actions are more significant. Therefore, it is important for managers to employ their incremental approaches to create a lasting change in troubled organizations.
Reference
Meyerson, D 2001, “Radical Change, the Quiet Way”. Harvard Business Review vol. 79 no.9, pp.92-100.