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The Process of Change

Change is a journey.
Rarely does the mere desire or suggestion to change
cause us to be different or do something differently.

Since we are wired to NOT change, being or doing things “differently”  requires that we become more intentional about our approach to change.  To help us on that journey, we need a “roadmap” on how to get from where we are to where we want to go.

The “roadmap” or process for change has three steps:

Step 1: Clarity

 

The first step in the process of change is clarity.  Not only do we need to know where we want to go, we also have to be crystal clear about the reality of where are we and what we are doing now.

 

Step 2: Buy-In

 

Buy-in means that we either have a strong desire for some benefit of getting where we want to go, or we don’t what the consequences of staying where we are.  When these sentiments are strong enough, we will go on this journey with a minimum of prodding.  We call this “ownership”.  We OWN our own journey.

Step 3: Struggle/Support

Even when we OWN the journey, we should anticipate that it won’t always be easy.  Sometimes we have to learn new things, break old habits, or change old tried and true behaviors.  If the struggle becomes too hard, we risk losing our buy-in and will quickly revert back to the starting point.

 
 
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Your Role As A leader

The steps above describe how to navigate a desired or welcome personal change.  However, in business today, we are often asked to or required to change for reasons that are not of our choosing.  In those situations, your role as a business leader takes on additional importance as you help your people through the process by:

  • Painting a very clear picture of the future, and contrasting that to the realities of thier awareness of the starting point. (clarity)

  • Helping a team member answer the question, “What’s in it for me?” (buy-in)

  • Supporting the struggle by providing training for the new situation and coaching early attempts to change (struggle/support)

    • observing, giving feedback, and praising progress

 

Self-Reflection Questions

consider the questions below

 

  1. After reading the steps above regarding the process of change, recall a time you wanted to be different in some way but really needed motivation. What were the specific benefits to be gained or consequences to avoid that caused you to engage in the journey?

  2. As  business leaders, how prone are expect that change will happen in people simply because they are asked (or told) to change whatever they were doing?  In other words, “one and done!”

  3. Considering the changes that will be coming in your workplace, which of the steps of the change process come naturally to you and which require further development?