Managing Negative Attitudes to Change
Managing Negative Attitudes To Change
The continuous improvement cycle consists of five major concepts, this includes the concept of change, ie Purpose (goal), plan, action, feedback, CHANGE.
In order for things to improve, you need to make changes. BUT many people hate change, because it forces them to change their existing habit patterns.
People want things to change and get better BUT, simultaneously, want things to stay the same. Many people have a negative attitude to change.
You may need to manage that negative attitude in other people at work.
In order to do that, you need to engage in a process of conversation control.
Conversation control means listening to the content of their conversation and categorising the content into one of five different types. Then consciously influencing the conversations away from certain types and directing towards other types.
There are five types of conversation:
- Conversations about the present moment: what is happening right now. Factual.
- Conversations about how the future could be better than the past. Optimistic.
- Conversations about how the future will be bad. Worry and fear.
- Conversations about how the past was bad. Anger and upset.
- Conversations about how the past was better than today. Nostalgic.
Conversations 1 and 2 create positive emotions.
Conversation types 3, 4, and 5 create negative emotions.
Negative emotion conversations.
Conversations about how the future will be bad or worse.
These types of conversation induce people to feel fearful, anxious, worried, depressed, hopeless and lacking in confidence. This is a bad list of emotions.
Conversations about how the past was better than today.
Conversations of this type cause people to feel discontented with today, nostalgic for a long-lost past, and a desire to return to "the good old days, before the changes".
Conversations about how the recent past has been bad.
These types of conversation cause the group to feel angry, upset, annoyed, bitter, resentful and planning a revenge.
Positive Conversational Techniques.
Conversations relating to today and how the future will be better than the past, are the only two positive conversational techniques.
These conversations tend to inspire positive emotions of: ambition, desire, motivation, goal focus, enthusiasm, hope, happiness. Therefore, these are the conversations you need to accentuate.
Conversations about what is happening right now tend to be positive. These conversations are based on observation, measurement, sensory awareness and perceptions. They have not had time to be labelled as either good or bad. The present moment just "is".
Managing Change
Your role as a manager in managing change, is at follows:
- To engage in a process of "conversation control".
- To notice the content of the conversation.
- To notice when it is future bad, fearful, or past bad, angry upset. Or past was better conversations; nostalgic, discontented, or future good conversations: optimistic.
- Encourage the conversation towards "now and the future will be good".
- Put limits on the amount of time spent on negative conversations.
- Take control of their conversations and direct them away from excessive talk about the bad past, the bad future and good old days.
Please take a look at our Change Management training course if you would like to learn more about perfecting your conversation control skills for the benefit of your organisation.
Definition: conversation control
In change management, conversation control is a communication process where a manager listens to team talk, tags each remark as present, future good, future bad, past bad or nostalgic, cuts off the three negative lines, boosts the two positive ones, and by steering speech this way, lowers fear and anger and lifts hope, drive and support for the planned change.
Show CG4D Definition
- Sorts every spoken point into five time-based types
- Limits or stops talk that sparks worry, anger or longing for the past
- Guides talk towards present facts and plans for a better future
- Uses this shift in talk to build trust, energy and backing for change
Article Summary
Change works when managers guide talk away from fear of the past or worry about the future and towards what is happening now and how tomorrow can be better; control the conversation and you control attitudes to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What is conversation control in change management?
How many conversation types are named in the article?
Which conversation types lead to positive workplace talk?
Why do employees show negative attitudes to change?
How can managers manage resistance to change in team talk?
What emotions do future-bad conversations trigger?
What simple rule guides continuous improvement conversations?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
CIPD Good Work Index 2024 reports that 68% of UK workers face major change at work each year, and 52% say unclear messages raise their anxiety. Gartner "Leading Through Change" 2024 study finds that firms that train line managers in talk control skills are 44% more likely to hit change goals on time.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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Further Reading in Change Management
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A New Vision for Britain
Discover why effective change management is vital for post-Brexit Britain and learn practical skills, steps and tools to help leaders and teams thrive today.
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Why do people resist change?
People resist change because habits feel safe and uncertainty risky. Learn why we cling to familiar ways and gain steps to build new habits and embrace change.
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Learning by Experience
Learn how learning from experience and watching others helps you break bad habits, sharpen time management, and spark continuous improvement for lasting growth.
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Technology Accelerates Change
Technology change is reshaping work and life. Learn three rules to embrace rapid shifts, learn from young talent and keep core values with change management.
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Is the Change Curve Model Real?
Learn why the change curve suits grief, not company shifts. Discover better change models and how focused training can almost double project success rates.
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Looking for Change Management Training?
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