Change and Transition

Diane Passey, LCMHCIntermountain EAP

John Kotter Our Iceberg is Melting,

2005

• 30% can see a new way of living, are convinced the vision has merit, and are relieved

• 30% are digesting what they heard• 20% are very confused• 10% are skeptical but not hostile• 10% are convinced this is absurd, and may

be hostile

How do we cope? Mel Fugate, Angelo Kinicki,

Gregory Prussia

• Escape coping: avoidance, deliberately

missing meetings, tardiness

• Control coping: proactive, take charge, insert

self into the solution

People often use both strategies simultaneously until their emotions level out.

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Control

Circle of

Direct Control

Circle of Influence

Circle of No Control

Human behaviors and Locus of

Control

Locus of Control refers to a person’s belief about his/her ability to control events in her/his life.

• Internal Locus of control:

I control my fate

• External Locus of control:

fate controls me

Internal Locus of Control

External Locus of Control

William Bridges Managing Transitions, 1991

Change and Transition are not the same

Change = a shift in the external situation

Transition = the internal psychological reorientation

Change vs. Transition

Change: quick and impersonal

Transition: slow and highly personal

THE ENDING

PHASE

• Disengagement

• Disidentification

• Disenchantment

NEUTRAL

ZONE PHASE

• Disorientation

• Disintegration

• Discovery

NEW

BEGINNINGS

• Recommitment

• “New Vision”

THE DENIAL

PHASE

• Ignoring

• Minimizing

• Depersonalizing

William Bridges The Stages of Transition

The Ending Phase

Emotions/What to expect

• Fear

• Anger

• Frustration

• Grief

• Sadness

• High Resistance

We Are The Borg

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Resistance

Resistance is normal• It reminds us that we are all different.

• It allows us to learn from each other.

• It allows us to help each other.

• It alerts the guiding team to ensure that the change is warranted and well thought-out.

The Ending Phase

How to help

• Accept resistance

• Understand emotions

• Allow time

• Educate about specifics of plan

• Emphasize how individual skills will fit in new plan

• Listen, listen, listen14

The Neutral Zone Phase

Emotions/What to expect

• Anxiety

• Resentment

• Impatience

• Low morale/low productivity

• Confusion

• Skepticism

• Guilt15

Guilt

Guilt is normal• It reminds us we’re human and

delightfully flawed.

• It’s a natural part of the grief process.

• Helps us to honor the past.

The Neutral Zone Phase

How to help

• Provide sense of direction

• Meet often to debrief & celebrate

• Define individual intentionality

• Create quick wins

• Boost morale

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Intentionality – Eric Gentry

Working with a purpose

Three words that define your purpose

• Generous

• Compassionate

• Dependable

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The New Beginning Phase

Emotions/What to expect

• Happiness

• Relief

• High energy

• Openness

• Renewal

19

The New Beginning Phase

How to help

• Promote sustainability

• Highlight success stories

• Reward the team

• Link individual goals to long-term objectives

• Prepare for setbacks

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Know and Use Your Anchors

• What is non-negotiable for me?

• Who can I rely on for strength, support?

• Where do I go to find peace?

• What beliefs, values can I use?

• What have I been trained to do?

• How do I be my best self in this situation?

Know and use your anchors

Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger

• “The Miracle on the Hudson”

• Flight 1549, Jan 15, 2009

• 155 passengers and crew saved

• “The worst sickening, pit-of-the stomach, falling-through-the-floor feeling.”

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Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger

“One way of looking at this might be that for 42 years, I’ve been making small, regular deposits in this bank of experience, education, and training. And on January 15, the balance was sufficient so that I could make a very large withdrawal.”

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Christopher Robin to Pooh

You are braver than you believe,

stronger than you seem,

and smarter than you think.

BE KIND

TO

YOURSELF25