Is this the formula for Powerful Change?

How easy do you find change?

It’s likely that when you affect change in your own life, based on your own choices and actions, it’s easier than when change is imposed on you by external persons or events.

The reality is, the world is constantly changing, and it seems to be increasing in speed, and complexity.

As humans, we naturally resist change. We gravitate towards what is ‘known’ – that which is familiar – it’s comfortable, and there are few surprises. There are no What Ifs for us to deal with (when our mind so very often runs riot and heads off down the imaginary road of the Worst Possible Outcome – a journey fraught with fear, anxiety, and stress!)

So, how do we better manage, and embrace change?

I’ve just finished the The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership – A new paradigm for sustainable success by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, & Kaley Warner Kemp.

In this book, they offer a powerful change formula which was originally created by Richard Beckhard and David Gleicher, which was then refined by Kathie Dannemiller. For your reference, their website also contains a wealth of videos and handouts to support the book and Conscious Leadership.

The formula offered in the book is (V x D) + FS > R = C

This stands for (Vision x Dissatisfaction) + First Steps > Resistance = Change

Change is about letting go of the known and stepping into the unknown.

The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership

I love this formula. When I came across it in the book, I lit up. For me, it summarises so much of the work I do with invidivduals, and teams, to bring about positive, powerful change.

VISION as described in the book, is a ‘picture of a preferable future’. You can think of this is many different ways including, your goal, your dream, or your preferred reality. Having a clear and compelling vision, or picture, of where you want to be, what you want to have, or do, is vital to success.

The more clear you are about what you want, the more likely you are to achieve it.

Billy Cox

DISSATISFACTION helps you overcome change, because deep dissatisfaction is painful, and pain is something we want to naturally move away from but of course, that might mean change, so we find ways of numbing or ignoring our true dissatisfaction, by distracting ourselves with rewards – short-term dopamine fixes – such as alcohol, food, cars, clothes, holidays…

V + D gives us the ‘why’, while FS gives us the ‘what and how’

The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership

FIRST STEPS is taking action, finding tools and strategies to help you move towards what you want (your vision), and away from what you don’t want (your dissatisfaction). This is a key element in the change process and brings to mind another exceptional book – Atomic Habits by James Clear – that offers insights and tools to develop lasting positive habits for long-term change. ‘First Steps’ is also a great description because, in my experience, it’s the first step that can be the most challenging one. Again, you are stepping into the unknown, and with that often comes fear. However ‘Action Cures Fear’ – so that first step is a key one!

Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.

James Clear – Atomic Habits

RESISTANCE as I mentioned earlier is our own natural resistance to change. What The 15 Commitments book challenges however is our WILLINGNESS to change, suggesting that we might very well know how to change, but how much are we actually willing to make a change – ‘Am I willing to change? Am I really willing to change?’

There’s no middle ground here either, no maybe, or trying, you’re either in, or you’re out;

Trying is wanting credit for something you never intend to do.

Hale Dwoskin – As quoted in The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership

This book offers many thought-provoking questions to aid reflection, self-awareness, and to bring about change. Here are just two that stand out in this section of the book ‘The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership’ which relate the change;

If I changed, what am I afraid would happen?

What is your picture of the future that is so compelling that it motivates you to overcome your resistance to change, to let go of control, and step into the unknown?

And similarly, my question to you is;

What’s stopping you from making the change you want to make in your life, or your business?

And how can I support you to make that change?

To explore how I can help you, as an individual, a leader, or a team, please do get in touch, either by phone, or email caroline@4positivegrowth.co.uk