What is Change?

So my current studies this semester focusses on Organizational Change.  We were tasked with finding words that we associate with change.  Here are a few that I came up with, see what you can add:

• future
• new
• restructuring
• downsizing
• different
• apprehension
• goals
• exciting
• conflict
• learning

Of these words, we then had to sort them into two different categories:  positive and negative.

Some of these words, I felt could go either way and so I explained this. For example, the word restructuring, could mean something positive where the organization is changing to better compete in the marketplace, and on the other hand may be viewed as negative if it means job loss for some in the organization. 

What words did you think of?  how would you categorize them and did you tend to think of more positive or negative words?  If we think of more of one type, does that mean it's a reflection on our personal outlook on life?  This may very well be the case, but I also think it can be quite random.  And if you're like me you pick words that fit both sides of the coin, then perhaps it depends on the type of day you're having that makes you lean one way or the other at any given time.  

Let's consider now the term organizational change management (OCM), I've just read an article that discusses the possibility that there are alternatives to standard OCM.  The frustrating thing for me is that it suggests there are alternatives, but doesn't actually go into discussing these in depth.  What is up with that?  Why make the reader frustrated at the end.  Sure, I can take some time to forcefully think up some alternatives, but give me a bit more to go on.  Motivate me by actually talking about what your talking about.

Ok that's my rant for the day.  But, OCM like any other practice was once informal and happened just because, well, everything changes and nothing stays the same and so inevitably, organizations deal with change on small to large scales.  So now that OCM is more a formal business practice and people are making a profession out of it, then we consider that other side of the management coin, like what if we don't manage organizational change? What if organizational change management which can be proactive and reactive, becomes obsolete because its so common everyone at every level manages the change?

I don't know, I'm just throwing this out there again, looking for alternative thinking.

I'll leave you with that for now.