Levels 7-10 of the ‘ChangeAbility’ Progression Spectrum (Part 4)

“Why can’t you just change already?” You may have heard, perhaps even uttered, or at least thought that phrase.

I hope you are enjoying our study on resistance to change. Change and adaptation are indispensable cognitive and strategic capabilities if we are to grow in self-leadership. My goal for you and I is to gain skills to increase our ‘ChangeAbility’ or Adaptive Intelligence. Adaptive Intelligence combines the concept of intelligence – the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills – with the specific focus on adaptation. So far we’ve addressed:

1. Antagonism
2. Aversion
3. Avoidance
4. Apathy
5. Apprehension
6. Acknowledgement.

Today we will look at the last four levels.

7. Acceptance: This powerful step rises beyond mere acknowledgment. Acceptance involves an emotional and cognitive embrace of the change. Individuals or groups move from understanding to agreeing with the need for change which is a very pivotal step. Note that you don’t necessarily have to fully endorse every aspect of the change in the organization, interpersonal relationship, or yourself. As Elisabeth Kubler-Ross taught in On Death and Dying, this stage (which is an integral part of the grief process) often involves a shift in mindset from “why change?” to “how can we make this work?”

8. Adaptation: At this stage, individuals and organizations begin to actively adjust their behaviors, processes, and structures to accommodate the new reality brought about by the change. Adaptation indicates that buy-in is clipping along at a high rate of speed and resistance is in the rear-view mirror.  Karl E. Weick, in his work, Sensemaking in Organizations teaches that this stage involves:

• learning new skills
• modifying routines, and
• integrating the changes into daily operations.

Once we adapt, we work on finding ways to function effectively within the new framework.

9. Ascension: Few groups or people reach this stage. JimCollins,in his fabulously titled work, Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t, Ascension represents a significant leap beyond mere adaptation, whereby the change is not just accommodated but is seen as an opportunity for

• growth
• improvement, and
• reaching a higher level of performance or understanding.

Ascension is a high level of cognitive, social, and emotional intelligence that involves leveraging the change to achieve new capabilities, innovate, and elevate the organization or individual beyond their previous state. This can be likened to a “flow state” where the new way of operating feels natural and empowering. Individuals at this level are very vested and productive, operating in their purpose.

10. Alchemy: The ultimate stage of radical transformation, alchemy signifies a profound and fundamental shift in:

• identity
• purpose, and
• operational paradigm,

According to Margaret J. Wheatley in, Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World, it’s not just about adapting to change or even growing from it but about transforming the very essence of what was before into something entirely new and superior. This involves a complete re-imagining and re-creation, where the old constraints are dissolved, and a new, more potent form emerges. This stage often involves a deep cultural shift and a redefinition of core values and strategies. As noted in point #9 above, very few organizations or individuals function at this level, yet it is what we are called to. It entails excellence in our work, being, and attitudes. It is the manifestation of our very identity.

CTA:

Please share your thoughts on these levels of functioning and any experiences you may  have had. What would lyour life be like if you functioned regularly at these levels.