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Professional Development

How to Flatten Your Own Curve During Major Change

We have heard a lot about flattening the curve regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. However, leaders we’ve worked with have been flattening curves of change for years. While the idea of flattening the curve makes sense, many leaders don’t have the tools to actually make it happen. I have attached a 7-page “1-pager” from Lee Hecht Harrison (a worldwide leader in career transition and executive coaching/development) giving you the tools to help transition changes quicker and more effectively allowing you to recommit and refocus sooner regarding change. The model consists of five phases each individual experiences regarding change:

Anticipation – Knowing or expecting that something is going to happen.

Letting Go – Facing the fact that things are different and letting go of the past.

Disorientation – Things are no longer what they were or how they are going to be.

Reappraisal – Taking a new look at the situation and addressing options.

Recommitment – Reconnecting to a sense of purpose.

Here are three takeaways from my experience working with this change model.

#1. Don’t assume you know where anyone else is on the curve. All a leader has to do is: Bring up the topic of change, show the model with the simple definitions, and ask where each person feels they are right now on the curve.

#2. People will experience some time in all five phases, but the time they spend in each phase will vary depending on the person.

#3. Don’t forget CBAAM!! CBAAM is the acronym on the last page regarding resiliency: Cope-BounceBack-Absorb-Adjust-Maintain

I hope you find this blog simple, practical, and valuable. #PeopleFirst