Understanding the Human Experience of Change

In the execution of Change Management, major component is about people management and understanding individual change. There are some widely used models: Kübler-Ross, Bridges Transition Model, Virginia Satir Model

Kübler-Ross: The change curve is derived from the Kübler-Ross Five Stages of Grief, which highlights the emotions an individual goes through while experiencing sudden grief. Project or Organizational change also involves the act of letting go of elements from the past and engaging with a different future, the model can provide an approach towards dealing with individuals as part of change management.

In this model, it is important to remember that it is not a linear curve in the sense that one does not necessarily complete a phase before moving to the next. Often people are stuck, oscillate or even regress in these stages. There are no specific timelines in how long it takes for an individual to move from one stage to another. This is influenced by a myriad of factors like how they are affected by change, personal resilience among others.

Bridges model, developed by William Bridges, makes a distinction between 'change' and 'transition'.

Change is the external event or situation that takes place: a new business strategy, a turn of leadership, a merger or a new product.

Transition is the inner psychological process that people go through as they internalize and come to terms with the new situation that the change brings about.

Three stages of transition, as described by Bridges, are

1. Endings: begins when people identify what they are losing and learn how to manage these losses.

   
   

2. Neutral Zone: in-between time when the old is gone but the new isn’t fully operational. It is the core of transition process.

   
   

3. New Beginnings: new understandings, values and attitudes. They are marked by a release of energy in a new direction.

In this model, it is essential to describe the Ending / Change in very specific terms and helping people think through what they would be losing. The Neutral zone is like any journey (think of 7 day sales trip) where normal is disrupted, temporary solutions are in place and individually very lonely. New Beginning is risk time with committing to new kind of future.

Satir's Change Model

Virginia Satir, a family therapist, developed her model after observing individuals and families experience a wide range of changes.

There are two key events that impact an individual's experience: Foreign Element and Transforming Idea. Foreign Element is a factor that is not previously present in the life of the individual. This typically results in chaos, emotionally turbulent with resistance to change. The Transforming Idea is the ray of hope akin to the acceptance phase of Kubler-ross, where the individual is coming to terms with change.