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Change Brief Page 1 ©reMODEL Consultants International Ltd. 2001-2008

 CHANGE

Leading Edge organizations depend on their ability to adapt rapidly to

change environments, as…
“The rate of change is not going to slow down anytime soon. If anything,
competition in most industries will probably speed up even more in the
next few decades.”
— John P. Kotter, Leadership Now

Change Brief Page 2 ©reMODEL Consultants International Ltd. 2001-2008

 Change: Transition:
 Is a moment in time  Is a psychological process
 Is external  Is internal
 Is focused on what lies  Is focused on what is left
ahead behind

“Habit is habit,
and not to be flung out of the window by any man
but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.”
—Mark Twain

Change Brief Page 3 ©reMODEL Consultants International Ltd. 2001-2008

 Typical Reactions to Change
Transition
Immobilization

Minimization
Depression

Letting Go

Testing

Searching
for Meaning

Internalization

1. Immobilization: 4. Letting Go:

 Shock and numbness
 Unable to reason or understand
 Confusion or disorientation
 “I can’t believe this is happening!” (bewilderment)
 “What’s happening???” (non-comprehension)
 This reaction is usually more obvious and intense
when someone is facing a negative change
 Acceptance of the new reality
 A time of progress and setbacks
 Start to detach from the past
 “I’m going to survive the transition”
 “It’s time to move on”

2. Minimization:
 Trivializing the magnitude/importance of the
change
 Still optimistic…the full impact hasn’t yet hit
 Refusal to believe that the change will even occur
 Won’t be able to recognize own denial behavior
 “This isn’t so bad!”
 “This won’t affect me much—I’ll just ignore it.”
5. Testing:
 Discover the limitations of the new framework
 Look for ways to succeed in the new situation
 Try out new behaviors or coping mechanisms
 A reaction of high activity and experimentation
 Begin to regain a sense of control

3. Depression: 6. Searching for Meaning:

 Change-related stress sets in, lack of energy
 Awareness of the reality of the change
 Uncertainty and self-doubt about doing the change
 Powerlessness, feel out of control
 Frustration and, sometimes, anger
 “I don’t think I can go through with this”
 Gradual shift toward understanding
 Determination of how change will affect the future
 “How has my sense of self changed as a result?”
 “What did that change mean for me?”
 “Was this change right for me?”

7. Internalization:
 Ultimate acceptance of the change
 Incorporate the change into our new
routines, behaviors, lifestyle
 Productivity increases again
 Build on new strengths and look ahead to
future

Change Brief Page 4 ©reMODEL Consultants International Ltd. 2001-2008

 Transition
Immobilization

Minimization
Depression

Letting Go

Testing

Searching
for Meaning

Internalization

You’ll notice that two additional components have been added to

the model: background shading and the jagged line.

The background shading represents the fact that there is not

always an obvious distinction between one reaction and the next.
In real life, there are gray areas and overlaps that can make it
difficult to determine whether someone is minimizing a change,
for example, or is still immobilized from the announcement.

Change Brief Page 5 ©reMODEL Consultants International Ltd. 2001-2008

 It’s not so much that we’re afraid of change or so in
love with the old ways, but it’s that place in
between that we fear… It’s like being between
trapezes. It’s Linus when his blanket is in the
dryer. There’s nothing to hold on to.

— Marilyn Ferguson, U.S. futurist

Change Brief Page 6 ©reMODEL Consultants International Ltd. 2001-2008

 Summary of Transition Cycle
Stage of Typical Mindset/ Self Perception of Emotional
Transition Reactions Outlook Perception Reality Experience

Immobilization Ignored reality;

Protector of
Uninformed Too much to feelings of
the existing
Optimism comprehend panic are also
structure
Minimization ignored
Ending
Avoidance; When
wishful challenged,
Informed Confronter or
Depression thinking; “they ANGER!
Pessimism avoider
can’t do this defensive;
to me!” resistant

Emotional
Working roller coaster;
Letting Go
together we bitterness
Hopeful
will manage; Facing reality followed by
Realism
dependency enthusiasm
Testing
on the team followed by
depression
Neutral Zone
Growing
Personal Acceptance of
optimism;
responsibility a personal
Searching for Informed there will be
and role and a task
Meaning Optimism good days and
perspective- that may
bad days; “I
taking never end
can to this!”

New reality;
hard to Gradual
Establishing a
remember increase in
Beginning Internalization Completion new structure;
what things satisfying
sense of worth
were like experience
“back then”

Change Brief Page 7 ©reMODEL Consultants International Ltd. 2001-2008

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Change Brief Page 8 ©reMODEL Consultants International Ltd. 2001-2008