|
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. | 