This document discusses the differences between change and transition. Change is external and situational, like a new job or policy. Transition is the internal psychological process of adapting to and accepting change. There are typically three phases to transition: endings, the neutral zone, and new beginnings. People progress through these phases at different speeds and may experience emotions like anger, confusion, and sadness. The document provides tips for communicating during times of change, such as communicating frequently, openly, and supportively to help people through the transition process.

1. Developed by:
Jane Pettit, M.S.
UMHS Human Resources
janep@umich.edu

2. Change = the “external” event
Transition = the “internal” process

3. “It isn’t the changes that do you in,
it’s the transitions. Change is not
the same as transition. Change is
external, transition is internal.”
-William Bridges
Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change
Transition:
the human side of change

4.  Change is situational: the new
site, the new boss, the new team
roles, the new policy, the new
process…
 What is changing for you?

5.  Transition is the psychological
three-step process people go
through to internalize and come to
terms with a change.

6. Three Phases of Transition
ENDINGS
NEUTRAL
ZONE
NEW
BEGINNINGS
Not yet
begun
Finished
Time

7. People progress through transitions at
different speeds
ENDINGS
NEUTRAL
ZONE
NEW
BEGINNINGS
Not yet
begun
Finished
Time

8. What people experience…
Absenteeism
Complaints
Anger
Forgetfulness
Worried Confused
Frustrated
Sad

9. Activity
Reflect on a major change in your life:
1. As you made this change in your life, what ended?
security, turf, status, influence, memberships, meaningful work, identity,
control, relationships, etc.
2. How did that make you feel?
angry, scared, lonely, excited, relieved, wondering
3. What helped (or might have helped) to make the transition easier?
(talk to someone, time, information, knowing others were going through the
same thing, ) What did you learn to avoid in the future?
4. What kind of outcome did you have? What helped create a good
outcome? What would you do differently to avoid a bad outcome?

10.  Communicate, Communicate,
Communicate
 frequently and less formally
 the good news and the bad
 acknowledge the emotional impact caused
by the change
http://www.med.umich.edu/i/integration/
Communicating During Times of
Change

11. Communicating During Times
of Change
 Be open
 willing to share an honest expression of your
own personal experience
 with an "owner's" view, not a "victim's" view
of the circumstances
 listen and legitimize others' feelings and
reactions

12. Communicating During Times
of Change
 Give support
 practice skills for listening and
understanding others' point of view
 work together to create short term plans to
address issues
 set up regular ongoing ways of working
together

13. Communicating During Times
of Change
 Experiment
 hear/accept new ideas from others.
 encourage experimentation and accept
mistakes.
 elicit ideas from others on how to help the
change process.

14. Managing the Transitions
What will you
do to make this
transition a
success?

15. Genuine beginnings begin within us, even when they are
brought to our attention by external opportunities.
- William Bridges