Understanding Transitions in the Change Process

“It isn’t the changes that do you in, it’s the transitions. Change is not the same as transition.” This quote by William Bridges revels the psychological process individuals go through in the change process.

How do you feel when you make a job change and you have a lot of new procedures and processes to learn? Do you feel frustrated because you aren’t as good as you want to be? Do you feel anxious that you are doing everything right?

William Bridges’ Stages in Transition research revels that we go through three stages; ending, neutral and new beginning; psychologically when we make a change and that it’s normal for individuals to have these feelings and thoughts.

Another normal part of change is that some individuals embrace change more than others. What are the characteristics of an innovator, early adaptor, late adaptor and resistor when it comes to change? Check out the Transitions Video to learn more about the four types in the readiness assessment.

Marie Hvidsten, Ed.D.
Rural Leadership Specialist/RLND Program Director, NDSU Extension