22368: Managers Enacting the Change Agent Role and Change Recipient Role at the Same Time. A Paradox Play

The aim of the PDW is to design a participant intensive experience to investigate the dynamics of managers enacting multiple change roles simultaneously and thereby uncovering ways to harmonize the balancing act of these roles. This will be explored in an engaging session by applying a dramaturgical approach and by introducing the ‘paradox play’ (De Lima & Flood, 2024) as the central tool for learning. More specifically, we propose to employ theatrical techniques on analyzing role creation and apply dramatic composition in the form of a play enabling participants to embody the dynamics of enacting multiple roles at the same time. Importantly, no prior experience with theatre or acting es expected or required. The dramaturgical metaphor (Goffman, 1956) has been proven to be highly useful for understanding human behavior. By applying artistic experiences in the PDW, skills can be developed that involve having a more harmonious presence together with a higher degree of subtle awareness and confidence while facing the challenges of navigating multiple change roles at the same time (De Lima & Flood, 2024, 2023, 2018; Carroll & Flood, 2010). The participants will (1) analyze the dynamics of enacting multiple change roles simultaneously, (2) determine objectives-actions-obstacles, and (3) finally create & stage a play on these role dynamics. In the play process, participants are invited to include a both/and perspective. The interactive and interdisciplinary PDW aims to be attractive and valuable to AOM members at all levels and across all management disciplines.