REFRAMING KOTTER’S CHANGE STAGES
(Bolman & Deal 2003, 386-87)
Kotter’s Stage
of Change
Structural
1. Sense of
urgency
2. Guiding
team
3. Uplifting
vision and
strategy
4.
Communicate
vision and
strategy
through words,
deeds, and
symbols
5. Remove
obstacles and
empower
Develop
coordination
strategy
Frame
Human
Political
Resource
Involve people Network with
throughout
key players;
organization;
use power base
solicit input
Team building Stack team
for guiding
with credible,
team
influential
members
Create
structures to
support change
process
Meetings to
communicate
direction, get
feedback
Remove or
alter structures,
procedures that
support the old
ways
Provide
training,
resources, and
support
Plan for shortterm victories
7. Keep going
when going
gets tough
Keep people on
plan
8. New culture
to support new
ways
Align structure
to new culture
Tell a
compelling
story
Put
commanding
officer on team
Craft a hopeful
Map political
vision of future
terrain; develop rooted in
organization
agenda
history
Implementation
plan
6. Early wins
Symbolic
Create arenas;
build alliances;
defuse
opposition
Visible
leadership
involvement;
kickoff
ceremonies
Public
hangings of
counterrevolutionaries
Invest
resources,
power to
ensure early
wins
Celebrate and
communicate
early signs of
progress
Revival
meetings
Create a
“culture” team;
broad
involvement in
developing
culture
Mourn the past;
celebrate
heroes of the
revolution;
share stories of
the journey