In my last post I explored the phrase “resistance to change”. In this post, I examine the phrase “the only constant in life is change”.

What people intend to communicate

This concept usually conjures up the quote from the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man. There is nothing permanent except change.”

I think when we tell people that the only constant in life is change, we are trying to emphasize how much change there is and how important it is to be able to adapt to it.

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man. There is nothing permanent except change.

Heraclitus

What people may unintentionally communicate

By exaggerating the point, however, we can do more harm than good. This can lead to unnecessary stress for people, change fatigue, and even learned helplessness.

We give people the impression that nothing ever stays the same, that they have no choice/power/agency, and that nothing in their work life is consistent or stable. At the same time, we complain that people have a “flavor of the month” mentality about change, don’t jump right on board, and are just being resistant.

Can we really have it both ways? If we want people to believe that everything is always changing and they have no choice in the matter, can we blame them if they don’t immediately embrace the newest, latest, greatest change? This dynamic reminds of the quote attributed to legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum. He once said, “Yesterday I was lying, today I’m telling the truth.”

I think that quote encapsulates how some people feel when they are on the receiving end of constant changes and constant messages about why this change is the best thing since, sliced bread. (Or at least since the last change that just happened!)

Yesterday I was lying, today I’m telling the truth.

Bob Arum

Closing thoughts

I believe that in each of our worlds, there are many things that are changing, maybe even most things. I also believe that it’s helpful to remember that there are things that are consistent. Another way to put this is that in the “permanent white water” of change, as Peter Vaill put it, there are islands of stability.

I was introduced to the concept of islands of stability and their positive power in graduate school. I only wish I could remember by whom so I could provide proper attribution. Some islands of stability for me include:

• I breathe and have been fortunate and privileged enough to eat and sleep each day.
• The sun has come up every day of my life.
• There has been weather every day of my life.
• I have feelings and thoughts each day.

While these examples are non-work related and may seem silly, I think they make the point that while it’s important to make clear what is changing it’s also important for us as change management practitioners to make clear to people what’s remaining stable and consistent.

Thank you for reading. Please post your thoughts and comments below about “the only constant in life is change”. Until next time, take care and keep up the good work!

Mike