Leadership in Action: In Focus—Responding to Change—Helping People Manage Transition

FOUR PATTERNS

People who experience major organizational change tend to exhibit one of four patterns of response: entrenched, overwhelmed, poser, or learner. People can then pass through their initial stage and move to a stage that is more effective—especially if the leader provides timely intervention and support. Unfortunately, people can also revert to a less effective pattern if the leader fails to understand their situation or reacts too harshly to their transitional behavior. Leaders may not be happy with the stage, or group, that a direct report, a peer, or even their boss stands in, but that's where leaders must start too if they want to guide people toward a more effective response to the challenging situation. Although there is some ...