Managing Performance with the Theory of ChangeLike many companies today, JBL Enterprises (hereinafter referred to as "JBL") is struggling with declining productivity due to a lack of employee motivation employees. While staffing and processes have remained stable, JBL has seen significant declines in productivity in recent years. To understand the issues at hand, this situation can be examined through the Theory of Change (Lewin, 1947). This theory uses a three-step process of Unfreeze-Change-Freeze (Colorado State University-Global Campus, 2013). Using Lewin's Theory of Change, JBL can implement and support empowerment strategies that will motivate employees, thereby increasing productivity. Theory of ChangeLewin's Theory of Change suggests three steps to successful change: unfreezing (when necessary), movement (when change is initiated), and freezing (when equilibrium is established) (Mitchell, 2013). In the unfreezing phase, the goal is the release of counterproductive patterns, either by increasing forces that direct behavior away from the current status quo, decreasing forces that impede movement in the desired direction, or a combination of both (Colorado State University -Global Campus, 2013 ). Often, an organization may begin this phase with an assessment in order to determine key issues that need to be resolved and identify desired outcomes (Andre, 2013); this will essentially “unlock” the issues in question. Once achieved, the organization can begin to “move” towards the desired change by putting its plan into action. Andre (2013) emphasizes that it is important for everyone to understand that “change is not something the organization is experiencing in terms of size, but rather it is the way things will be done from now on” (p. 45) . A...... middle of paper...... company. Works Cited Andre, J.M. (2013). Plan, stabilize, repeat: how to lead change successfully. Management Services, 57(1), 42-47. Retrieved from https://ehis-ebscohost-com.csuglobal.idm.oclc.org/ehostColorado State University-Global Campus. (2013). Module 2 - Leadership and leadership theories [Blackboard e-course]. In ORG 502 - Theory and Practice of Effective Organizations. Greenwood Village, CO: Author.Lewin, K. (1947). Frontier in group dynamics: concept, method and reality in the social sciences; Social balances and social change. Human Relations, 1(1), 5-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/001872674700100103Mitchell, G. (2013). Selecting the best theory for implementing planned change (Doctoral thesis, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Queen's University, Belfast). Retrieved from https://ehis-ebscohost-com.csuglobal.idm.oclc.org/ehost.(Accession number: 86746704)