Katrina Appell Consulting Inc.

Change Process: Engaging People and Overcoming Resistance

Resistance to change is a commonly noted problem in the process of change. Given my obsession with understanding I like to start with understanding and respecting the resistance.

Kathleen Dannemiller, building off the work of David Gleicher, presents the following change formula as a diagnostic tool and planning model:

“D x V x F > R

Change will occur when the product of dissatisfaction (D) with the present situation, a vision (V) of what is possible, and first steps (F) toward reaching are greater than the resistance to change (R), If any one of these (D, V, or F) is zero or near zero, the product of the three will also be zero or near zero, and therefore the resistance to change will not be overcome.”

Dannemiller, K. D., & Jacobs, R. W. (1992). Changing the way organizations change: A revolution of common sense. The Journal Of Applied Behavioral Science, 28(4), 480-498.

 

D * V * F > R

Engage with Lean Tools?

DESIRE FOR CHANGE
  • Dissatisfaction with the current state
  • Current State Map
  • Understanding the Situation

 

VISION
  • What we want to create or achieve together
  • Ideal Vision
  • Target Condition

FIRST STEPS
  • What we are going to do to learn and improve towards our vision
  • Learning Cycles – PDSA

RESISTANCE
  • Resistance is a sign that you have touched on something valuable – Peter Block, Flawless Consulting
  • Respect it
  • Surface and understand it
  • Include/share/discuss/validate
    • Dissatisfaction with the current state
    • Vision
    • Cycles of learning and improving towards the vision

 

How do we approach change in a way that D x V x F > R?

Katrina Appell

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