Thrive Through Change

To thrive in an environment filled with constant change, it’s important to understand how to harness people’s adaptability to move through disruption and regain resilience with change training. If you can get ahead of change, the result is an organizational culture that embraces change fueled by empowered leadership and employees who feel valued and secure. Leaders should help individuals and teams recognize the predictable path of transitioning through change can foster innovation and improve business agility. Change is an ongoing process rather than just one event, and there is a progressive sequence of change behaviors that need to be experienced and mastered in order to be effective in handling change. Negative behaviors like denial, apprehension, anger, and resistance are normal and part of the change process, but the progression through the “phases of change” represents an opportunity for growth.

The Four Change Phases

There are four main phases of change. Change moves through the “Change Curve.” Employees should be aware of this curve and work on moving through it more effectively. Sometimes, a person may get stuck on one phase or repeat other ones.

• Phase 1 – Denial: When people hear about the change, they may be in denial that it is happening and avoid addressing it.
• Phase 2 – Resistance: People may resist the change at first because it is an unknown, and they would prefer things to stay the same.
• Phase 3 – Exploration: Exploration happens when they acknowledge their feelings and accept that the change is in fact, important.
• Phase 4 – Commitment: Once the person accepts the change, they then commit to it.

At the end of the change phases, the employee should be more comfortable with the change. They have had time to accept and get on board with the change, and they are ready to move forward.

Handling Workplace Change

Change isn’t a one-time event but an ongoing journey. The four distinct phases of change – denial, resistance, exploration, and commitment – provide a roadmap for individuals to navigate this process effectively. As we progress through these phases, we grow, adapt, and ultimately become more comfortable with change. To delve deeper into mastering change, join Dr. Cynthia Scott’s webinar, How to Thrive Through Change, and gain insights into leading through change, minimizing disruption, and bolstering resilience. Embrace change as a catalyst for growth and a pathway to a brighter future.