Managing organizational change: Key competencies for public health leaders

Leaders of public health organizations are tasked with many key responsibilities, including leading organizational change. Uncertain times and increased environmental demands on public health organizations have combined to create significant pressures for organizational change. It is widely understood that leaders need to have the competence and commitment to manage change, and lead their organizations to top performance.

This presentation addresses the important topic of managing organizational change and the role of leaders of public health organizations in leading organizational change. Drawing upon a review of the current literature on organizational change and the comments of key informants who serve in leadership roles in public health organizations, this presentation provides a conceptual understanding of the need for change, discusses the key characteristics and types of change,and identifies an approach leaders can use to manage change within their organizations. Key competencies leaders need to possess are described, as are the opportunities and barriers to successfully manage organizational change within public health organizations. Implications for public health organizational performance are discussed.