Immunity to Change: How to Break Through Your Barriers

Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a pattern of behaviour that you just can't seem to break free from, no matter how hard you try? Maybe you want to lose weight or quit smoking, but no matter how much you want to change, you just can't seem to make it happen. This is known as immunity to change, and it's a common phenomenon that affects many people.

The concept of #ImmunityToChange was first introduced by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey in their book "Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization." According to Kegan and Lahey, immunity to change is a natural defence mechanism that our brains use to protect us from perceived threats.

In order to break through our immunity to change, we first need to understand what our underlying assumptions are. These are the beliefs and values that we hold about ourselves and the world around us. They are often deeply ingrained and can be difficult to identify.

The Centre for Applied Transformation offers a powerful tool to help individuals and organisations break through their immunity to change. This tool, known as the Immunity to Change (ITC) Map, is a step-by-step process that guides individuals to identify their underlying assumptions, and then create a plan to challenge and transform those assumptions.

The ITC Map consists of 5 steps:

1. Identifying the commitment: In this stage, individuals identify the behaviour or outcome they want to achieve
2. Identifying what they are doing, or not doing instead. Identifying what behaviours they are engaged in that is maintaining their status quo. Taking personal responsibility for their part in their stuckness; identifying their part in the obstacles that are preventing them from achieving what they want
3. Identifying competing commitments: In this stage, individuals identify the underlying fears that are preventing them from achieving their desired outcome. These fears are often deeply ingrained, somewhat unconscious, and usually not a part of ourselves we are all that proud of. Admitting to ourselves what we might be afraid could happen can be an uncomfortable thing to do.
4. Uncovering our 'big assumption': In this stage, individuals identify the core assumptions that are holding them back. This is the belief that is so deeply ingrained that it is often taken for granted as Truth and not questioned. Often, these are beliefs we have lived with our whole lives, even though they may not be based on any objective reality.
5. Testing the big assumption: In this stage, individuals create experiments to test the validity of their core assumption. This can involve gathering data, seeking feedback, and trying out new behaviours.

Immunity to change is a common phenomenon that affects many people. By following the ITC Map, individuals can break through their immunity to change and #unlocktheirfullpotential. This tool can be used in a variety of contexts, including #personaldevelopment, #teambuilding, and #organisationalchange.

In addition to the ITC Map, the Centre for Applied Transformation offers a range of other tools and resources to support individuals and organisations in their transformational journeys. These include #coaching, #training, and #consulting services. The Centre for Applied Transformation is a valuable resource for individuals and organisations seeking to #transform themselves and #createpositivechange in the world.