Organizational change first causes instability but ultimately, if managed well, can lead to opportunity. There are many ways to conceptualize the change process and its effect on the organization and staff—including Kotter’s eight-step theory of change. The process focuses on a short-term strategy to address immediate concerns and includes decisions that will affect the organization long-term. On the part of a leader, the process involves communicating a clear need for change and a vision for the future, gaining buy-in from employees, and celebrating wins to motivate people along the way.In this Discussion, you explore models of change in order to understand the change process and its relationship to management functions.RESOURCESBe sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.ReadingsTo prepare:Review the Learning Resources on organizational change.Consider the connection between the stages of change you use one-to-one with a client and larger-scale change management in an organization.Recall the four functions of management (i.e., planning, organizing, leading, controlling), and consider how they relate to change management.BY DAY 3Post an initial response to the following:In your own words, what is Kotter’s theory of organizational change?How do the stages of change used with clients apply to organizational change management?How do the four functions of management (i.e., planning, organizing, leading, controlling) connect with change management? Which function do you believe is most important in the change process and why?