Resistance and Reaction to Change

The Change Curve is based on a model originally developed in the 1960s by Elisabeth Kϋbler-Ross to explain the grieving process. Since then it has been widely utilised as a method of helping people understand their reactions to significant change or upheaval.

Resistance to change is inevitable and can occur at both an individual or organisational level.

A study of two major UK corporations using a methodology devised by Edgar Schein has led to some important observations about organisational culture and its implications for change management.

‘Multiple realities’ explains the way in which different parts of an organisation look at change from very different perspectives. We profile some of the difficulties faced by change agents in the light of this.

Diffusion of Innovation theory is a versatile, universal and relevant method of determining the reactions of an individual or group to an innovation. In this article we look at how individuals and groups adapt to new innovations in different ways and at different rates.

Managing the change process is made more difficult when hostility and resistance is encountered. Bob Leiser, principal consultant at Impact Plus, outlines some techniques designed specifically to counter this.

This article summarises the phases people will typically go through when experiencing change. It describes some of the feelings and difficulties managers might encounter and ways of overcoming these.

One problem faced by managers and leaders is that of the phenomenon known as ‘change fatigue’. Here we look at what change fatigue is, what causes it, and what can be done to prevent it.

The ADKAR model of change management allows the change process to be viewed from both the business and the people dimensions, and is a simple yet effective method of successfully managing change. In this article we look at how ADKAR can bring the two dimensions together, resulting in a change management methodology that is easy to understand and implement.

This article outlines a number of suggestions for coping with and adapting to change positively across a range of scenarios in which you may find yourself. Use it to work through your initial thoughts and concerns.