Change opportunities can be seen as a virus or a vaccination.
As a Virus–head over to Mucinex’s website to see this in action.
Resources are applied to neutralize and destroy the change. “Mucinex In, Mucous Out.”
The change itself takes the person or organization by surprise, eliciting fear. “Fight congestion, tame your cough”
The response plan is reactionary: Take 1 or 2 tablets every 12 hours AFTER YOU GET THE COLD!
As a Vaccination: “The administration of antigenic material (a vaccine) to stimulate the immune system of an individual to develop adaptive immunity to a disease.”–wikipedia
Resources are applied to stimulate and encourage adaption.
The change and associated fear is calculated.
“In general, vaccination is considered to be the most effective method of preventing infectious diseases.”–wikipedia
It’s natural to see change as a threat but for those changes that impact your organization there must be a plan and resources dedicated that treat them as a vaccine.
Those that lead change must see themselves as a vaccine even if they are treated as a virus.