Supervisor/Leadership Corner: Leading through change: The Change Curve

We mentioned the 4 A’s of coping with change in the workplace, and as leaders and supervisors, one of the most important things for you to do is to show support to your team, keep them updated, and maintain a positive attitude. Creating a space where staff can have an open dialogue and express how they are feeling can also be helpful. 

The change curve is a great tool to share in a staff meeting.

The change curve model is based on the five stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance - originally described by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book On Death and Dying. The model has been adapted over the years and is often used for individuals and organizations to help people  understand their reactions to change and how to navigate it.
In the picture below you will see it is normal to feel any of these feelings as you go through change, whether at work or in your personal life. There is no right way to feel. This tool is a great tool to show at a team meeting and use as a discussion opportunity to check in with staff. 
By creating openings for honest communication, people can start to work their way through the change curve. It's also a great way for people to feel supported, heard and empowered. People can also realize that they are not alone in terms of how they are feeling.