Determining Your Acceptance to Change

Published: Jan 24, 2019
Modified: Mar 24, 2020

By AMA Staff

To determine how receptive to change you may be, consider these four statements. Which suggests that you are in denial of change. How about resistance to change? Which statement would suggest an openness to the change and its consequences? Finally, which statement might go so far as to suggest a new status quo and its positive consequences?

  1. I don’t believe that this change is necessary or that it will work.
  2. I absolutely refuse to do as I have been instructed in light of the change.
  3. I want to learn more about the change—review the pros ad cons—and determine the implications of the change.
  4. I think this change is working—as I think about it, I even think it makes a lot of sense.

These responses are normal. You have no problem unless you find yourself several months after the fact still venting about a change. Ideally, you should be looking for how to make the change more successful, not pointing to its shortcomings.

About the Author(s)

American Management Association is a world leader in professional development, advancing the skills of individuals to drive business success. AMA’s approach to improving performance combines experiential learning—“learning through doing”—with opportunities for ongoing professional growth at every step of one’s career journey. AMA supports the goals of individuals and organizations through a complete range of products and services, including seminars, Webcasts and podcasts, conferences, corporate and government solutions, business books and research.
Tags: Leadership