Program Strategy and Change Management

"'What is' is more important than 'what should be.' Too many people are looking at 'what is' from a position of thinking 'what should be'." – Bruce Lee

It seems we are constantly reacting to change these days — personally, professionally and culturally. How do we lead effectively when norms, values and expectations appear to be shifting before our eyes? Traditional approaches to program strategy and change are rooted in transactional models of success based upon sequential processes, hierarchical decision making and data-driven outcomes. In assessing "what is," program leaders must be able to meet unexpected challenges with creative, systemic approaches to leadership and change management.

In this webinar, we examined the traditional approaches to program strategy, including strategic planning and project management, while adding space for creative change management tools such as decentralized rapid-response, 360-degree storytelling and heightened stakeholder advocacy.

Participants learned to:

• revisit the foundational importance of actionable values within staff development and program management.
• reflect upon decentralized power and decision making within the context of transition/change.
• recognize the role of servant leadership in building and supporting powerful program networks.

Edward Minnema is a seasoned leader and educator who translates decades of organizational experience into actionable strategies for teams navigating complex transitions. He helped develop the University of Minnesota Program Management Certificate and teaches two of its core courses, bridging the gap between foundational leadership and high-stakes execution.

Joining Ed for the second half of the webinar were Angela Two Stars and Jolene Jones from the Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI). Angela Two Stars serves as the NACDI Vice President of Arts and Culture and is the Director of All My Relations Arts. Jolene Jones leads the Make Voting a Tradition Minnesota initiative for the organization. Together, they brought essential perspectives on community-centered engagement and the practical application of leadership in diverse environments.