Working On Me

Take a look at the graph. This a representation of Virginia Satir’s model of change. It describes what happens when individuals, families or other groups face some sort of change.

I’ll outline what it means and how you can use knowledge of it to make sure your reaction to changes large or small always maximises opportunity.

Let’s first examine each of the stages on the curve.

1. Late Status Quo. This is how life is before the change. It is what we have become used to and we will probably derive a certain amount of comfort from its familiarity.

Foreign Element. Something happens which causes a change in how we go about things. This might be a new work objective or boss, or perhaps the loss of a friend or family member. It could be a big change or a small change, but it will have an impact.

2. Resistance. Also known commonly as ‘denial’, this stage is where we seek to go on as we always have and ignore the Foreign Element. We hope that in doing what we always have, we’ll get the same result we always have. Although we have to change in response to the Foreign Element, there is inertia and comfort in the late status quo and we’ll resist abandoning it for a time.

3. Chaos. Things get worse before they get better. We have to break it before we can rebuild. The clichés are true. When we realise that the old methods no longer produce the results they used to and that our resistance is futile, we’ll tend to sink into a period where things are rather chaotic as we cast around for new certainties to latch on to.

Transforming idea. Eventually, we’ll identify how we have to act in the new circumstances. We’ll start to find that new behaviours and beliefs are having a positive effect, which will motivate us to repeat them.

4. Integration. Gradually, we’ll get better at applying new methods and coming to terms with the new reality. As we become more and more confident, we surpass our pre-change performance levels.

5. New status quo. We finally reach a plateau when the new reality has become ‘business as usual’.

So what? How can you use what you know about the curve to get better results when things change?

1. Be ready for foreign elements and limit your Resistance response.
2. Expect Chaos. Welcome it as a natural stepping stone on the way to improvement and do not treat it as a reason to dig in and strengthen your resistance.
3. Throughout Chaos and Integration, notice how the ups and downs of the line are quite extreme. This represents trial and error; some new behaviours and beliefs will work, some won’t. Try to get good quality feedback here. If you do, you’ll shorten the Chaos Period and make the climb in Integration steeper, reaching the New Status Quo sooner.
4. In Chaos, make sure you’re actively seeking out the Transforming Idea, rather than waiting for it to find you.
5. Don’t settle too quickly for a New Status Quo. Critically examine whether you are at the top of the mountain or just a comfortable ledge on the way there.