Characteristics of Change

Overview

Change means making something different. It might be a small or large difference. It might seem positive or not so positive, depending on the point of view of those who make or experience the change.

If a lot of change occurs at once, this may be difficult for some people to manage. Sometimes, you can get sick of change and need to have a rest from things continually being different.

Change can also be exciting. Some people thrive in a fast-moving environment.

Let's examine the characteristics of change.

• There will be something different. Today you might have a certain process and tomorrow that process will be different in some way. To have change, you need to see that something is not the same as before.
• Often, change produces winners and losers. Some people receive positive rewards from change, while others experience negative consequences. Understandably, the first group usually supports the change, but the second group resists it.
• Change usually requires people to change attitudes, behaviour, structures, and systems. This is difficult, to say the least.
• Change is a political process. It's messy. It raises ethical concerns. It causes conflict. It's seldom a rational sequence of carefully planned steps. Nevertheless, it is possible to manage change, as you will see.
• Change can also be positive. Organisations can grow and develop from change, and this may enable them to provide more and better jobs, or better serve their customers and their community.