The five principles are based in research, observation, engagement and management of extensive change projects throughout the past several decades.

1. PRO/Axios:
Plainspoken guidance for those who do the work.
My Five Principles for Helping
People Adjust to Change
Dr. Jim Bohn
04/14/13 Organizational Insight leading to Organizational Transformation

2. My five principles for managing change …
1. Reduce anxiety to increase adaptation …
2. Simplify to increase adoption …
3. Follow-through to assist integration …
4. Measure for correction and celebration …
5. All change builds or destroys trust …
All management is change management

3. My five principles for managing change …
1. Reduce anxiety to increase adaptation …
 Brains are hard-wired to minimize energy usage.
 Novelty induces wariness due to uncertainty.
 Caution produces a wait-and-see attitude, and
reduces production.
 Leaders find ways to reduce anxiety during change,
thereby helping their people adapt.
All management is change management

4. My five principles for managing change …
1. Reduce anxiety to increase adaptation …
2. Simplify to increase adoption …
 Processes and procedures place a heavy demand on
the cognitive systems … (just like this sentence!).
 People cannot manage information overload!
 Use “Distributed Practice” to help people learn –
short, intense bursts of training.
 Avoid marathon PowerPoint sessions!
 Leaders help their people adopt new changes using
manageable learning sessions.
All management is change management

5. My five principles for managing change …
1. Reduce anxiety to increase adaptation
2. Simplify to increase adoption
3. Follow-through to assist integration …
 Interest levels drop at the change drags on.
 People pay attention to the next shiny object.
 Checking in increases accountability.
 This change is not going away. We’re serious about what
we started.
 Leaders understand the concept of “follow-up or foul-
up.”
All management is change management

6. My personal principles for managing change …
1. Reduce anxiety to increase adaptation
2. Simplify to increase adoption
3. Follow-through to assist integration
4. Measure for correction and celebration …
 Critical elements of the change must be measured.
(Best to do this pre, mid and post change).
 Data is powerful and makes the best case for success
- - - or reasons to change course.
 Leaders understand the need for celebration during
change!
All management is change management

7. My five principles for managing change …
1. Reduce anxiety to increase adaptation
2. Simplify to increase adoption
3. Follow-through to assist integration
4. Measure for correction and celebration …
5. All change builds or destroys trust …
 What employees experience today builds their
assessment of how they will participate tomorrow.
All management is change management

8. Emphasizing the five principles
during different types of change.
Communicate
Type of Reduce Simplify Measure Follow-Up
Change Anxiety
IT Systems X X X
BUILD TRUST
Policies X X
Product Release X X X
M&A X X
Relocations X X X
Reorganization X
Salary Levels X X
04/14/13 Organizational Insight Leading to
Organizational Transformation

9. Pro/Axios
 We offer plainspoken guidance for
those who do the work.
 Check out the Rapid Diagnostic @
www.ProAxios.com
 info@proaxios.com
 651-302-1574
 Minneapolis, MN, USA
04/14/13 Organizational Insight Leading to
Organizational Transformation

10. Thank you for your time!
All management is change management