Explain the difference between reactive change and proactive change, as well as between adapters and shapers. Give examples.
What will be an ideal response?
Student answers and examples will vary but should demonstrate an understanding of reactive and proactive change, as well as adapters and shapers. Most change is reactive. A better approach is to be proactive. Reactive change means responding to pressure after a problem has arisen. It also implies being a follower. Proactive change means anticipating and preparing for an uncertain future. It implies being a leader and creating the future you want. The road to the future includes drivers, passengers, and road kill. Put another way: on the road to the future, who will be the windshield, and who will be the bug? Needless to say, it is best to be a driver. How do you become a driver? By being proactive more than merely reactive, by really thinking about the future, and by creating futures.
Companies can try different strategic postures in preparing to compete in an uncertain future. Adapters take the current industry structure and its future evolution as givens, conduct standard strategic analyses, and then choose where to compete. In contrast, shapers try to change the structure of industries, creating future competitive landscapes of their own design.
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A. get into emotional debates and personal attacks with each other. B. criticize the working style and personality traits of each other. C. adopt a clear win-lose attitude. D. remain objective and avoid personalizing issues.