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Immunity to Change

Robert Kegan, Lisa Laskow Lahey

359 Pages
2009

Immunity to Change

How to Overcome it and Unlock Potential in Yourself and Your Organization

Harvard Business Press

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โšก Free 3min Summary

Immunity to Change - Summary

"Immunity to Change" by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey explores the hidden dynamics that prevent individuals and organizations from achieving their full potential. The authors reveal how deeply ingrained beliefs and collective mindsets create resistance to change. By understanding and addressing these internal barriers, we can unlock new levels of personal and professional growth. This book offers practical tools and insights to overcome the obstacles that hold us back.

Key Ideas

1

Understanding Immunity to Change

The book introduces the concept of "immunity to change," which is the subconscious resistance we have to altering our behaviors and mindsets. This resistance is often rooted in deeply held beliefs and fears that we may not even be aware of. By identifying and understanding these internal barriers, we can begin to address them and make real progress.

2

The Role of Mindsets in Organizations

Kegan and Lahey emphasize that the collective mindsets within organizations can create a powerful resistance to change. These mindsets are often reinforced by organizational culture and practices, making it difficult for new ideas and approaches to take hold. The book provides strategies for leaders to identify and shift these collective mindsets, fostering a more adaptable and innovative organizational environment.

3

Practical Tools for Change

One of the most valuable aspects of "Immunity to Change" is its practical approach. The authors offer a range of tools and exercises designed to help individuals and organizations identify their specific barriers to change and develop actionable plans to overcome them. These tools are grounded in real-world examples and research, making them both accessible and effective for a wide range of readers.

FAQ's

The main concept introduced in "Immunity to Change" is the idea of "immunity to change," which refers to the subconscious resistance individuals and organizations have to altering their behaviors and mindsets. This resistance is often rooted in deeply held beliefs and fears.

"Immunity to Change" addresses organizational resistance by emphasizing the role of collective mindsets within organizations. The book provides strategies for leaders to identify and shift these mindsets, fostering a more adaptable and innovative environment.

"Immunity to Change" offers a range of practical tools and exercises designed to help individuals and organizations identify their specific barriers to change and develop actionable plans to overcome them. These tools are grounded in real-world examples and research, making them accessible and effective for a wide range of readers.

๐Ÿ’ก Full 15min Summary

Identifying the right improvement goal, one that requires personal growth and adds value to both the individual and the organization, is a powerful motivator for change and personal development.
0:00 / 1:27

Identifying the right improvement goal is crucial for effective personal and organizational change. This goal should not be a technical skill that can be acquired, but rather a personal growth area that requires self-development. It should be significant enough to excite the individual and add value to the organization.

For instance, consider the case of a company where every executive was asked to identify a single goal that would personally excite them and add more value to the company. This goal became known as their "one-big-thing". The process of identifying this goal involved seeking feedback from various sources including superiors, peers, and subordinates. This feedback helped the executives to identify a goal that was not only personally significant but also valuable to others around them.

Moreover, the executives were encouraged to consult with their family members to ensure that the chosen goal would also bring benefits in their personal lives. This comprehensive approach to goal identification ensured that the chosen improvement goal was not only important to the individual but also to those around them, thereby increasing the likelihood of commitment and success in achieving the goal.

In conclusion, the right improvement goal is one that requires personal growth, excites the individual, adds value to the organization, and is beneficial to others in the individual's life. This goal serves as a powerful motivator for change and personal development.

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