Re: Resistance to Change LO1210

Dickover - Melvin E. (dickover@umd5.umd.edu)
Mon, 15 May 1995 08:20:40 -0400 (EDT)

Replying to LO1192 --

On Sat, 13 May 1995, Bernard Girard wrote:

> Dickover - Melvin E. wrote :
>
> >Another way of looking at "resistance to change" that is very useful to
> >consultants is to translate the phrase into "I'm using an ineffective
> >method". This moves the problem to you from the organization, and
> >motivates you to do something different and better.
>
> It looks like a great idea on the surface. But might be dangerous and lead
> to manipulation ("forget the mean, says the manipulator, only the end is
> important!").

[...quote of prev msg trimmed by your host...]

> Listening to these resistances to change may change the planned change for
> the best.

On manipulation: That means taking away choices fron the client.
Effective consultants recognize that to get the client to change, mental
roadblocks need to be removed and additional choices created. The
consultant does this, and elicits from the client the learning as to how
these new choices better meet the criteria and values of the client. I
call this being influential or effective, not manipulative.

On motives for resistance: all systems, from cells to societal, resist
"change" to maintain homeostatis, their boundiries, and their way of
functioning. This is good and necessary. What we are discussing here is
what to do when change needs to be made.

As you say, paying attention to why particular people resist is key to
understanding the system, a prerequisitic for effective change.

--
Mel Dickover (dickover@umd5.umd.edu)