Empowering change through empathy

Topic time estimate: 2 Minutes

A change advocate’s influence comes from their actions and conversations.

If you are a change avoider, you enjoy your comfort zone. It is a low-risk, low-reward zone where you feel safe and in control.

Change usually forces us out of our comfort zone. When that happens, you experience fear and resistance as a natural response. You may feel stuck and freeze. To get unstuck from the fear zone, you need to embrace change and consciously learn.

Change seekers are naturally curious about finding hidden opportunities in change and what they could learn. They like to shake things up to find room to grow.

No matter your preference, the Rapid Advocacy Action Plan and Conexus help to

find purpose,
set goals,
create new habits,
and draw upon your network for personal and business growth.

Here is how Junko approaches her role as a change advocate

“I showcase to other people what’s possible.

I enlist willing people to demonstrate how we transition to the future state.

Late adopters and even laggards experience the change this way.

First, I learn about the business strategy, its needs and how transformational change addresses these.

Then I fast-forward to the future and consider what legacy I want to leave.

From the future state, I work back.

Who do I need to inform?
Who needs to buy in?
And who do I need to contact when I get more information?
What is now the first action or step I need to take to create momentum for the transition?

Conexus and the Rapid Advocacy Action Plan help me to move through the transition and also to coach and assist colleagues.”

A little empathy goes a long way

As a change advocate, you will interact with many project stakeholders.

In change conversations, you may encounter a wide range of worries, resistance and concerns. Some may seem reasonable; others foreign.

Remember that people will need to leave their comfort zone to transition. If you are mindful, you can observe individuals transitioning and the (self-) talk slowly moving from fixed to growth along the mindset continuum.

Individual change requires people to switch on their growth mindset voice and embrace the risk of failure and pain for the sake of learning.

A step that is not always easy for everyone.

The below graphic visualises four different zones on our mindset continuum. You can use the image to help people understand their inner voice.

If you’d like to deepen your understanding of the four zones, we recommend the Growth Mindset to Lead Change course.

Optional

Time estimate: 21.5 Minutes

This topic has additional resources in the Materials tab to deepen your understanding of change seekers and avoiders. Check out the extra resources at any point in time. To access the optional videos click on the Materials tab at the top of the topic page.

Optional

Time estimate: 21.5 Minutes

This topic has additional resources in the Materials tab to deepen your understanding of why some people avoid and some seek change.