SURVIVING CHANGE:

IT CAN HAPPEN!

Patricia A. La Brosse, APRN-BC

University Hospital and Clinics

“I can’t change the direction of the windBUT

I can adjust my sails to

always reach my destination”

~Jimmy Dean~

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Change Theories

• Reddin’s Theory

• Lewin’s Theory

• Rogers’ Theory

• Havelock’s Theory

• Lippitt’s Theory

• Spradley’s Model

It isn’t the changes that do you in,

it’s the transitions

Change is situational…

Transition … is psychological

~William Bridges~

“Three-phase process that people go

through as they internalize and come to

terms with the details of the new

situation that the change brings about.”

Phases of TransitionThe New

Beginning

THE

NEUTRAL

ZONE

Ending,

Losing,

Letting Go (Bridges, 1991)

Phase 1 – The Ending

• Change begins with an ending

• Letting go of old ways

• What “was” no longer “is”

• Employees experience grief and loss

Phase 2 – Neutral Zone

• Old is gone but new isn’t operational

• Psychological no-man’s-land

• Critical psychological realignments & repatternings take place

• Innovation is most likely & revitalization begins to happen.

Phase 3 – New Beginning

• Staff adopt the new identity

• Experience new energy

• Discover a new sense of purpose that makes the change begin to work

Human Factors of Change

• Responses that facilitate or impede

• Vary from full acceptance & willing participation to open rejection

• Reluctance and resistance are common when personal security is threatened

Resistance to Change• Denial

• Anger

• Bargaining

• Chaos

• Depression

• Resignation

• Openness

Responses

• Innovators – thrive on change

• Early adopters – respected by peers – sought out for advice & information regarding change

• Early majority – prefer doing what has been done in the past – eventually accept change

Responses (cont)

• Late majority – openly negative - accept change after most others

• Laggards – openly express resistance to change

• Rejectors – actively oppose change – may sabotage overall success of change

Where Is This Coming From?

• Family Upbringing

• Past successes and failures

• Mental outlook

• Communication

• Age and values

“If you want to make enemies, try to change something.”

~Woodrow Wilson~

Embracing Change

• Accept change as a natural part of life.

• Understand your own style and preferences in dealing with change.

• Identify ways in which you can contribute.

Embracing Change (cont)

• Build your own support system. 

• Choose your attitude.

 

• Be tolerant of mistakes, your own and those made by others.

Embracing Change (cont)

• Assume responsibility for your own response to change.

• Focus on your strengths; don’t let them become weaknesses.

 

• Keep things in perspective. Keep your sense of humor.

Embracing Change (cont)• Support your colleagues and managers.

• Focus on areas in which you have control or influence.

• Identify personal stress and practice stress management strategies.

STRESSSTRESS

“Stress is simply the adaptation of our bodies and minds to change;

and change

is about the only constant left in the workplace.”

~Peter G. Hanson, M.D.~

• 43% of all adults have health problems related to stress

• 75-90% of all doctor visits are stress-related

• 82% of workers are at least a little stressed in the workplace

• Stress is known to cost American businesses more than $300 billion each year

Workplace Stress

• Troubled economy may feel like an emotional roller coaster.

• "Layoffs" and "budget cuts" have become bywords in the workplace,

• The result is increased fear, uncertainty, and higher levels of stress.

• When people feel overwhelmed and distressed they lose confidence & focus

• Very often become withdrawn and irritable which in turn affects productivity & effectiveness  

• Chronic or intense stress can also lead to physical and emotional health problems.

Signs & Symptoms

• Feeling anxious, irritable, or depressed

• Apathy, loss of interest in work

• Increased call-ins

• Problems sleeping

• Fatigue

Signs & Symptoms (cont)

• Muscle tension or headaches

• Stomach problems

• Social withdrawal

• Using alcohol or drugs to cope

NOW WHAT ABOUT YOU???

PERSONAL RESPONSES TO STRESS

Taking Care of Yourself  • Pay attention to your physical and

emotional health

• When your own needs are addressed, you’re stronger & more resilient to stress

• Taking care of yourself doesn’t require a total lifestyle overhaul

• Small things can lift your mood, increase your energy, & put you back in the driver’s seat

• Take one step at a time

• More positive lifestyle choices → a difference in your stress level

• Get moving – Aerobic exercise (perspiring)– Lifts mood, increase energy, sharpen focus,

relax mind & body– 30 minutes/day (can break up into smaller

segments)

• Food choices– Eating small, frequent meals keep blood

sugar level (low levels → irritability)– Determine personal choices for healthy

eating

• Moderate alcohol intake– Temporarily reduces anxiety and worry– Too much can cause anxiety as it wears off– Potential for alcohol abuse and dependence

• Avoid nicotine– Nicotine is a powerful stimulant – Leads to higher, not lower, – levels of anxiety

• Get enough sleep– Stress & worry cause insomnia– Lack of sleep leaves you

vulnerable to stress

• Prayer and Meditation– Have a connection to something or someone

higher than yourself. – Prayer puts things into perspective &

provides balance

• Self-Reflection – Allows you to take a deeper look into yourself– Focus on the things that are

positive for a sense of well-being

• Alone Time – Make sure you make time for you

– You have to be alone once in a while

to re-connect with yourself

– Use this time to write in a journal, pray or meditate

Enjoy the silence!

• Social needs – Personal relationships are very important– We all need social interaction

– Enjoy a regular night out

with friends far away

from work

• Exercise Your Brain – You have to constantly stimulate your brain– Work puzzles or play computer games that

involve some sort of strategy– This will keep you sharp & ready for anything

• Be Organized

– Keep your life tidy and organized

– Set up a routine in which you can incorporate these self-care tips in your day

• Respect yourself – You can’t do any of these things unless you

have self-respect– Don’t respect yourself because of the things

you do in your life

Respect yourself because

of who you are on the inside

In Closing

• Change is inevitable

• Change can be stressful

• Responses to change are individual

• Self-care is essential to successfully leading staff through change

“I can’t change the direction of the windBUT

I can adjust my sails to

always reach my destination”

~Jimmy Dean~