The Change Cycle

Expanding upon the Curve of Change, Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s writing about the five stages of grief, coping mechanics, and reactions to change were adapted in the Kübler-Ross change curve, or the change cycle.

 The curve itself has seven stages, each at varying lengths of time and fluctuating in morale and competence. The stages often occur in sequence, but not everyone will face the same order or all the stages either. However, each stage in important and knowing each vital towards understanding the change cycle.

1. Shock: Often the first stage, it is the onset of change, a disruption of the norm. When a change occurs, people react with shock and surprise, perhaps even “fight or flightâ€.
2. Denial: In the second stage, individuals look for evidence that the change is not actually happening, that it should not happen, and will look for reasons that it will not happen.

In both stages, the best tool is communication, communicate why the change is happening, why it is necessary, and how it will make things better in the future.

• Frustration: In this stage, individuals recognize the effects of the change, that they have been changed, and are frustrated or even fearful of the difficulty coping with the change. They may even become angry if the change was out of their control.
• Depression: In the fourth stage, the result of the change leaves people sad and distressed. Ultimately, this can lead to demotivate and lack of energy.

In these two stages, the best course of action is empathy. Support and listen to them, these stages are difficult, but also the beginning of accepting the change and integrating it.

• Experiment: Following the lowest point of depression, individuals can become willing to try the changes and new behaviors, but only starting with small adjustments.
• Decision: On the pathway to accepting the change, this stage is where a conscious decision is made to accept the change or not. A decision to continue testing, moving forward, and higher levels of positivity.

For both stages, the best response is patience, change is difficult and requires time to properly adjust to, people need time to properly explore and accept the changes themselves.

• Integration: Finally, with the seventh stage, individuals have integrated the change into their routine, they have accepted it and it has become the new normal. This phase is important to reinforce the benefits of the change is celebrate the success.

In any leadership role, change does not happen on its own. Change within a business, organization, or community affects everyone in that system. In the big picture, it is essential to understand that change cannot be achieved overnight. It is a process that goes through phases and must be worked towards together.

References

Advanced Controller and CFO Skills: Leadership Styles; Change Management. e-book, Durham, NC, Association of International Certified Public Accountants, 2021.