Make Change Work: Staying Nimble, Relevant, and Engaged in a World of Constant Change

CHAPTER 3

GOOD CHANGE, BAD CHANGE

Change is neither good or bad. It simply is.

—Don Draper

TAKE THIS TEST

Everyone evaluates change through his or her own lens and experience. Here are eight changes common to everyone reading this book. Please take a moment to evaluate them.

There are no inherently right or wrong responses to any of these changes. For instance, you could think the rise of social media is a good change because it provides a way to connect with friends and family, which increases the shared experience and connection.

Or social media could be a bad change because it is a detractor to meaningful, face-to-face conversation as everyone tweets and posts during dinner. And maybe you just don’t care because you and your circle of friends don’t participate in social media.

The same can be said of any change listed. Some people will think it is a good change; others, a bad change. And there are people who don’t really know for sure or don’t care.

THE COMMON FACTORS

There are seven common factors we all use to evaluate our response to change:

1. How does it affect me? A new policy in another department might be a good thing if it makes it easier for you to complete your ...