Need for change

​Seeing the need for change is a subjective perception most of the time. What one person sees as an evident need for change is the other man's comfort zone that does well and doesn't create any drive to change. This can lead to a lot of frustration with both parties.

An often used term to describe a change kickstarter is the 'burning platform'. This burning platform sometimes needs to be created to encourage people to make the change needed. But is that enough...? Isn't change more about not wanting to get out of a comfort zone or seeing too much risk for oneself related to the change?

In other words, the person that wants to drive the change talks about what he sees as the benefits of making the change and also the problems if the change is not made. At the same time, the person that needs to go through the change is more concerned with the risks he is facing and the comfort zone to abandon if the change is pursued.

​​The change matrix as provided by Goldratt gives a good idea how to address change and how to help people to go through a change and at the same time take ownership of that change.

​Going through the change well can really only happen if you can own your change, if you address the risk that is a threat to you and also find a way to get out of your comfort zone, defining what your new comfort zone might look like.

Take a look at the video. Hope this will help you approach change management in a slightly different and simple way. Of course, simple doesn't mean easy...