ALL CHANGE- HOW CHANGE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED

Are we ready to cope with change?

Change can be defined as a transformation or transition from one state, condition, or phase to another; it affects everyone and in recent times the pace of change has accelerated to such a degree that many people find it very unsettling. Changes to our economic,scientific and technological environment mean that we will need to think very seriously about how we can cope with the effects of such changes both in our personal and professional lives.

In our work lives we will need to ensure that we plan for the future and are in a position to exploit future opportunities and that we have adequate funds to do so. We really do need to spend some serious time thinking about the future and where our professional and personal lives might fit into that future. We need to see change as an opportunity but that is something difficult if you are used to and happy with your current work\life position.

To anticipate the future is risky but not to do so is even riskier. We probably need to systematically anticipate and prepare for change perhaps under the cloak of innovating our own products and services; this needs to be done frequently;sometimes without the fear of abandoning things that may have worked well in the past but may not do so in the future. Changes to organisational structure and products need to be successfully piloted with strong advocates to ensure these change elements are successfully delivered.

In classical philosophy there are several approaches to change;

Hegelian: The classic Hegelian dialectic model of change is based on the interaction of opposing forces. Starting from a point of momentary stasis, Thesis countered by Antithesis first yields conflict but subsequently results in a new Synthesis.

Kuhnian: Thomas Kuhn argued that people are unlikely to jettison an unworkable paradigm, despite many indications that the paradigm is not functioning properly, until a better paradigm can be presented.

Heraclitan: The Greek philosopher Heraclitus argued that to stay alive any organism must constantly change.

Daoist: The Chinese philosophical work Dao De Jing, uses the metaphor of water as the ideal agent of change. Water, though soft will eventually wear away stone. Change in this model is to be natural, harmonious, and steady, though imperceptible. This approach tries to ensure that change will be delivered incrementally so that people can get used to it -- however often (as in emergencies) this is not possible.

The Hegelain model of change springs from a conflict situation - whilst the Kuknian version sees people hanging onto the past until a workable alternative can be presented. Often the workable alternative cannot be delivered swiftly enough to make a difference to an organisation or a person and the approach to coping with change falls down.

Most people initially deny\resist change then they explore it and eventually accept it. Helping them accept and cope with change needs caring and visionary leadership which must win the commitment and support of the people upon which these changes will impact the most. This last phase of  implementing change is often the least successful and is the phase that requires most work and preparation. We would neglect this at our peril.