July 2025 // Change Management

Going through change? It always gets worse before it gets better.

The “Change Curve,” which traces its roots to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s 1969 model of the five stages of grief, explains how people respond to all kinds of transitions, whether it’s navigating a merger or major reorganisation, implementing enterprise-wide digital transformation, coping with sudden role changes after a leadership shake-up, or managing personal upheavals like divorce, relocation or a career pivot.

𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴
Shock → Denial → Anxiety → Anger → Frustration → Confusion → Stress
𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Avoidance → Creativity → Skepticism → Acceptance → Impatience
𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
Hope → Energy → Enthusiasm

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿:
– Threat response: Any disruption lights up the amygdala’s “alarm,” triggering anxiety or resistance.
– Denial: A protective buffer that gives us time to absorb new realities.
– Anger: Signals that something we value has been upended.
– Stress & avoidance: Low points that often precede creative problem-solving.
– Acceptance & meaning-making: Once we acknowledge loss, hope and innovation emerge.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂?
– Normalise the dip: Frame resistance as part of the process, not a personal failing.
– Tailor your communication: Address people where they are on the curve.
– Build small wins: Structure experiments in the exploration phase to rebuild confidence.
– Reinforce new routines: Celebrate each milestone to cement the “new beginning.”

𝗛𝗼w Made From Within 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽:
– 1:1 coaching for individuals facing career, leadership or life transitions.
– “Leading Through Change” bespoke training and group coaching for teams and organisations.

✉️ 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵: 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼@𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻.𝗰𝗼𝗺