Emotional journey of change

Changes within companies follows a fairly predictable emotional journey.

It begins with “everything is fine” and despite declining results with hold on to familiar processes.

When change is bound to happen, resistance naturally follows as we push back end question “why is this even needed”.

As new processes take hold, confusion starts to emerge “this feels backwards, are we even moving faster”.

Then all the sudden we realize the breakthrough moment “aha! this actually works better!” as we see the benefits that made the discomfort worthwhile.

This kind of view of the phases can help leaders guide their teams through transitions.