Change leadership in the U.S. Coast Guard

Abstract

The ability to lead productive change is becoming increasingly necessary and important to organizations. Across the spectrum of private businesses, non-governmental organizations and the public sector, organizations are expected to adapt quickly to rapidly changing market and environmental conditions. Effective leadership is needed to successfully implement new programs that require changes in people's skills, attitudes or behaviors. Leadership is also needed to build organizational cultures that stimulate innovation and risk-taking and embrace change. The United States Coast Guard, an agency within the new Department of Homeland Security, has a 215-year history of adapting to meet new mission challenges. Just over the past three decades, the service has taken on new operational roles in drug interdiction, fisheries enforcement, environmental protection, ports and waterways security and national defense, while also responding to increased calls for efficiency and innovation in service delivery. Today's Coast Guard is going through monumental change as a result of the emergence of the homeland security mission, the move to a new Department, and an internal reorganization of operational units. This thesis addresses the strengths and challenges of the Coast Guard in leading organizational change. A historical perspective on Coast Guard change leadership and an analysis of change leadership challenges common to U.S. Government agencies is presented. A "macro" look of the environment for change in the Coast Guard is presented as well. John Kotter's eight-stage framework from his 1996 book Leading Change and his 2002 book The Heart of Change is used to evaluate Coast Guard change programs. The thesis concludes with recommendations that

(cont.) senior executives in the Coast Guard might consider in improving organizational change leadership. The research was conducted through a survey of available literature, interviews with Coast Guard members at various levels within the organization, discussions with senior leaders of other government agencies and private businesses, and personal experience.