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September 2, 2006
Readiness for Change
I've always loved little pychological tips for recognizing the process our fellow humans go through when change happens.
I sometimes find the classic stages of grief useful in watching (or living) through change. You remember them:
1. DENIAL
2. ANGER
3. BARGAINING
4. DEPRESSION
5. ACCEPTANCE
I was reminded of these today when I read a posting by Sharyn at Libraries and Librarians Rock blog. She quotes:
"The Four Levels of People’s Readiness for Successful Behavior Change
(James Prochaska,University of Rhode Island)
1. Oblivious—can’t see the problem; deny that they need to change, resist change efforts.
2. Contemplation—see the need for improvement and think about how to do it. They will talk about it but are not yet ready to do it. A person can get stuck in this phase for a long time just thinking about change.
3. Preparation—focus on solution—action plan; aware of problem, see ways to solve it and anticipate doing it. May be propelled to this stage of readiness by talk with supervisor, disaster, personal crisis. This is the time for a detailed action plan.
4. Action–visible change begins. The plan is embraced, practiced, and actions begin to change."
This is a little more positive and that's better. However, I still think we need to recoginze that change is grieving over the loss of some old ways and building allegiance to a few new ways - and everyone reacts differently to newness. I'll never know the right way, but I know the solution to 'managing' change is focusing on people.
Stephen
Posted by stephen at September 2, 2006 12:52 AM
Comments
Please say more about what you mean when you say "the solution to managing change is focusing on people."
Thank you!
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It's pretty straightforward. Nearly all change involves human behavioural change. If you spend the majority of your time focusing on process, technology, milestones, financials, or what have you, it will be more difficult to implement the desired and desirable changes. If you invest sufficient time in considering the human issues - customers, users, staff, team cohesion, etc., you'll get bigger payoffs and quicker success.
SA
Posted by: Scott Glass at February 22, 2008 10:01 AM
I'm doing a school assignment and find your info very helpful on "The Four Levels of People’s Readiness for Successful Behavior Change
(James Prochaska,University of Rhode Island)
But I need a year, name of the book, article or whatever to be able to quote it.
Thanks. Heidi
Posted by: Heidi at June 16, 2008 3:34 PM