Flattening the change curve

As an Organizational Change expert, I’m relatively comfortable with the discomfort of change. After nearly 25 years of guiding organizations and individuals through the journey of the change curve I’ve developed milestones and techniques to help people move from the current state to the future state and working in technology change has given me the tools to determine what the future state will look like and to help people get ready for change.

This change is different. Unplanned, unknown and unwelcomed. Identifying the future state feels futile and presumptuous as the days roll into weeks, weeks to months and the death toll climbs.

The term “flattening the curve” has become part of our national conversation and the reason for our self and imposed quarantines. Flattening the curve means we slow the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19 to provide more time for Health Care Systems to treat those infected without becoming overwhelmed.

As a change professional I also work on flattening the curve, specifically the change curve. The more information, training and support I can provide to those navigating the change journey, the flatter that change curve will be. When we don’t provide what is needed to prepare for change, we see people get stuck in what we sometimes call the “valley of despair.” This is the lowest point in the change curve. It’s not possible to return to the way things were and it's unclear how to get to the future state.

The impact of being in the “valley of despair” can be seen in the refusal of individuals to accept the uncomfortable and disruptive measures that must be taken. Resistance and rejection of the steps needed to move forward. Immobilizing fear and passivity must be addressed so individuals can start to get a foothold and begin the adjustment.

To climb out of the valley there must be some motion. Waiting to be rescued isn’t an option and even the smallest of movements can reduce inertia.

Flattening the curve of the COVID-19 virus is essential, it's our duty to each other and those we love. Looking for ways to help flatten the curve for those trying to climb the change curve and move to the future state is our duty as well. Take a moment to share a foothold and guidance to help those who may be struggling to climb the mountain of change, so we can move to the unknown future state together.

April Callis-Birchmeier PMP, CCMP is an organizational change expert, keynote speaker and author of the bestselling READY, Set, Change! Simplify and Accelerate Organizational Change. In addition to doing her best to change the way we help people change, she loves to split wood and tend to her 11 chickens. www.aprilcallisbirchmeier.com