Change and Change Capability

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03 May 2011 - Realise2 Strengths Dynamics #9

Realise2 Strengths Dynamics - #9: Change and Change Capability

"Change is the only constant" - so intoned Heraclitus in the 6th century BCE. Nothing much has changed since, or should that be that everything has changed since? Whichever way we look at it, it's clear that change is here to stay, and, paradoxically, the only thing unlikely to change is the perennial nature of change itself.

In recognising this, it's clear that all of us - without exception - are equipped to cope with change. Quite simply, it's an evolutionary imperative. Even so, there are significant individual differences as to our preferences for change. Some of us relish life on the edge of change, whereas for others, change is something with which we engage only reluctantly, and then only through necessity.

Our strengths profile will certainly impact on our change preferences and change capability. Certain strengths have change at their core - Change Agent and Reconfiguration being the two obvious examples. For others change is implicit in the outcomes they will be used to achieve - for example, Improver and Innovation. In contrast, there are other strengths that seem actually to be opposed to change - for reasons that all make sense. For example, Adherence and Detail both correlate negatively with Change Agent, whereas Order and Planful have the lowest correlations with Change Agent amongst the other strengths.

Looking at our UK norm data, based on a sample of over 1,000 people, Improver is the most prevalent realised strength. People strong in Improver want to find better ways of doing things. Improver heralds a drive for growth and development, a drive that is focused on making things better than they are now or were before. Improver, quite possibly, could be characteristic of human development as a whole - it certainly accords with the 'actualizing tendency' of human beings which Carl Rogers described so well.

Whereas Improver can provide the motivation to change and do better, other change strengths will also impact on how and where we want to implement change. For example, people strong in Reconfiguration will be best placed to adapt to changing circumstances and to juggle things to get the best outcome possible in the situation. Flexibility and adaptability are their defining watchwords.

People strong in Change Agent will be at the forefront of change, advocating the case for the change and inspiring others to make the shift. People strong in Innovation will be focused on how things can be done differently, leading the way with the originality and novelty of their ideas and applications.

In this way, we can see a natural pattern for change strengths start to emerge. Innovators will create the new, original, alternative conception of how things can be. Change Agents will make the case as to why the change needs to happen. Improvers will show us that the change will move us to a better place. And those strong in Reconfiguration will show us all how to adapt and flex as the change unfolds.

As we might expect, these change strengths tend to correlate together, although it's usually the case that a person is dominant in one rather than all of them. When they do combine, we find the dynamic of a person who is always restlessly dissatisfied by the status quo, often uncomfortable when things are in a steady-state - as they sometimes will need to be.

Those who may struggle more with change are the people whose routines and ways of workings will be most challenged by the disruption - those strong in Adherence and Detail, Order and Planful. Yet notwithstanding this, there is also a critical role for these people in any change - to keep the change on track and to ensure some order ultimately emerges from the chaos.

Hence, our consideration of the strengths of change also highlights the importance of complementarity - and the fact that we need those who provide stability and continuity, just as we need those who advocate for and inspire change. There is a role for all of us - and for all of our strengths.

With best wishes,

Alex Linley