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THE CHANGE PROCESS

1. All change is stressful. Stress occurs whenever people have to adapt to changes. Once stress thresholds are reached, the likelihood of accident or illness increases significantly.

2. Change will produce a counter-reaction to return to the old ways. This will unconsciously happen even to the champions of change.

3. Change will follow a two-steps forward and one-step backwards pathway. Expect to lose ground occasionally. That's necessary in order to move forward toward your final goal.

4. Change will be hardest for middle managers. Trying to rebuild a boat while sailing it across the ocean is hardest on those trying to sail the boat.

5. Without constant pressure to change, the change process will stop. Pressure must come both from above and from peers.

6. Once a critical mass of about 20% is reached, the new paradigm will take root. Network your change agents so they can reinforce one another.

7. The change process will include a period of confusion during which the new roles are being learned. Real life is always more complicated than a textbook describes.

8. The problems of tomorrow will be due to the solutions of today. Where will you get the time for meetings? How will you train people so they can be empowered?

9. Deming warned that the change process will take five to ten years. This is not a quick fix.

Copyright (1998) by Ends of the Earth Learning Group. All right reserved.

Typically, photocopies of pages off the internet do not duplicate very well. Clean black-and-white copies of the Change Process can be sent as an attachment in Word Perfect or by snail-mail. There is no charge for this service. Contact Ends of the Earth Learning Group by telephone or snail-mail or send a request to ronaldturner@endsoftheearth.com


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