Emotional Change Cycle

Any kind of change involves emotion, especially when it’s a significant upheaval. By understanding the emotional cycle of change, it helps us better understand our reactions and helps keep us on track. 

​​Denial – a person will typically avoid the topic, appear unconcerned, refuse to believe it’s happening, show no initiative, focus on details, ask picky questions and challenge the data or the decision. 

Resistance – a person will typically become angry, aggressive, use sarcasm, feel overwhelmed or depressed, complain, ask ‘Why me?’, ‘Why now’, avoid accountability. This could also indicate the reality is starting to sink in. 

Exploration – a person will typically seek to understand and accept new ways of doing things. They start being creative, consider what they can do and being to look forward. Energy increases, they learn and discover new possibilities, generate ideas and start to plan for the future. 

Commitment – a person will typically start to see the possibilities, are confident and in control and able to focus on continuous improvement. They seek accountability, work with the change and achieve results.

Each person reacts differently to change, and not everyone will experience all of these phases.

What are your reactions to change? We have attached a worksheet for you to complete to reflect on your behaviours, body language, words, and how you can manage these. Remember, the more aware you become, the better able you are to understand and adapt to change successfully.