"Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living. Out of our overconfidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope progress," Bruce Barton.

This statement, while definitely profound, also captures the very essence of the process of change with its uncertainty, fear, trepidation, hope and the eventual progress. Those in the throes of change may view it differently, from the visionaries that spearhead the process, to those who naturally resist any type of change.

Organizations that are implementing change may find that the comfort level of some individuals within will be compromised, bringing about possible resistance. If not understood and carefully dealt with, the resistance may cause a fair amount of tension and conflict, therefore undermining any positive outcome. Our purposes and production in life revolve around three major needs: to be respected, to be viewed as competent, and to belong. These needs are the motivators which affect our decision to either accept or resist change. The decision to embrace the change is then made through examining facts, looking at our belief system, and deciding how we feel about the change. This thinking process involving facts, beliefs and values, helps us evaluate what is important. Ask two people about their perception of an incident and you may get two different points of view. Facts can be distorted because we act on the perception of reality rather than on reality itself. Holding to the perception that our beliefs are indeed facts will make it difficult for us to see the issue in a true light. While beliefs are subjective and cannot be proven, facts are objective and can be proven.

While both facts and beliefs are important in decision making, it is our values that have the final say and will ultimately affect our choice. Values, therefore, guide our decisions and set the parameters for our life.

In his book, Making Change Possible, Ken Hultman quotes Dr. Morris Massey as saying that about ninety percent of our values are programmed from our surroundings by the time we reach the age of ten. It is no wonder that our values are well ingrained by the time we reach adulthood.

When we are faced with the prospect of change, there are factors that can help lessen our resistance to it. First, we need to examine our needs and ask, "What effect will this process of change have on me personally? Will it help my self-esteem and improve my relationships with others? Will it help me move forward personally and/or professionally?" Remember, the bottom line for all of us is, "How will this change affect me?" Our basic human need is to feel a sense of worth. We will resist any changes that contradict our values, because these values are deeply rooted beliefs that affect the direction of our life. After we have considered our needs, the thinking process begins. Based on the facts surrounding the impending change, we think, "Has it worked elsewhere and improved other situations? Will it work in my situation?"

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