SCC Strategic Management Series Navigates Cultural Shifts; DOLE Officer Emphasizes ‘People-First’ Change
Navigating the complexities of modern business transitions, Southern Christian College (SCC) convened the 5th session of its Strategic Management Speaker Series on November 7, 2025 at the Educational Media Resource Center (EMRC).
Anchored on the theme “Organizational Change Management: Navigating Through Transitions and Cultural Shifts,” the session provided students and faculty with a transformative look at how human behavior drives the evolving dynamics of the workplace.
The resource speaker, Ms. Jicilli Airo Jinn Gardose, Administrative Officer V of DOLE Region 12, returned to deliver an engaging discussion on the psychology of transformation.
Ms. Gardose challenged the students to look beyond systems and processes, emphasizing the key principle that “organizations do not change—people change.” She emphasized that successful transformation begins with the workforce, highlighting that communication, leadership, and genuine employee involvement are the non-negotiable pillars of managing transitions.
Stepping past textbook definitions, Ms. Gardose deconstructed the root causes of employee pushback, exposing the hidden emotional drivers that fuel resistance. She explained that pushback is rarely about the new technology itself; it is a psychological defense mechanism against the unknown. By reframing resistance as a natural emotional reaction rather than insubordination, she taught students to navigate the friction of change with empathy rather than authority.
By exploring real-life examples of organizational shifts driven by technology adoption and globalization, the discussion helped learners connect theoretical concepts with practical applications. The forum provided a safe space to analyze why change is often met with friction and how future leaders can smooth that curve.
Facilitated by the 4th-year Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) Major in Human Resource Development and Management students under the class of Ms. Analyn Lea T. Ugalingan, MMBA, the event was hailed as another successful installment of the series.
By positioning change as an opportunity for growth rather than a disruption, the session strengthened the students’ readiness to lead and adapt in dynamic business settings.
