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Discussion Guide |
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Instructions |
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This Discussion Guide provides a way for you and other leaders to discuss
together the results of your iChange response styles. Its purpose is to learn how each
participant responds to change and where necessary, encourage the formation of a proactive
strategy for assisting one another become more effective in leading your congregation
through change. |
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You may find it helpful to have one person lead the discussion, though
everyone will contribute. You may be able to complete this process in about an hour.
However, if you find the conversation stimulating, you may want to extend it over more
than one session. Remember, the primary goal is to encourage you all to reflect on how you
respond to change and how that response impacts your leadership. |
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Discussion Guide Questions |
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Sharing of Styles and Initial Reactions |
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Ask each person to share their Emotional
Response, Behavioral Response and Change Response Style. After they have done so, ask them
to comment on their own reaction to their iChange scores. Were they surprised? Do they
agree or disagree? Can they provide an example that either corroborates or challenges the
score? |
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An Option |
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Invite other observations about the
Person’s iChange Style. (If the group is comfortable with this, invite others to
comment on their reactions to each person’s style). |
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Build a Group iChange Style Profile |
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You might find it helpful to calculate a Group
Style Profile that is a composite picture of each of your iChange Style types. The
procedure for calculating this is not difficult. Simply complete the following table
following the simple instructions provided in the first column marked
"Instructions." A Sample Table follows, for your assistance. |
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Group Style Calculation Table
Click
this table for a printable version |
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Sample of Completed Table |
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| Interpret your Group iChange
Style using following table. |
| If Total Change Style is: |
| < 1 then Derailing |
| 1.0 - 1.4 then Blocking |
| 1.5 - 3.4 then Tentative |
| 3.5 - 4.4 then Engaged |
| 4.5 - 5 then Reckless |
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Discuss Using a Case Study |
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How do you think these scores
impact or influence how your church deals with change? Does this provide any clues to
conflicts that you may have had? To facilitate this discussion and keep it from being too
abstract, name a specific case in which you tried to deal with a change challenge. To
develop your case, use the following guidelines. |
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- Identify a specific case.
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- Ask someone to outline the occasion
of the conflict around some change.
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- Follow this with a description of what happened?
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Now, with the case as a backdrop
and your iChange individual styles and Group Style scores, discuss the following
questions. |
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- Is there anything in the change scores that would
explain why this scenario unfolded the way it did?
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- Based upon this, would you say there are any clues
in your individual styles and/or the overall Group Style
Profile that enables and/or impedes your congregation’s
ability to deal with change?
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Now imagine how the same case
might have unfolded if more of you had an Engaged style? (Unless, of course most of you in
fact did. In this case, for learning purposes, imagine just the opposite. How would it be
different for you and your church if your Individual and/or Group Style Profiles reflected
a Tentative or Blocking style?) |
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What Next? |
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If your Total Style Profile and/or
several individuals did not reflect an Engaged Style, you may benefit from
seeking out reading and/or study opportunities that will assist you in
embracing change and moving more toward that style type. You may choose
to do this as individuals, or as a group of leaders. Either way, you will most likely be
more successful if you put in place a strategy now. After completing
your work, take the iChange assessment again. You may find your group
style has changed. (You can take take the survey as often as you like). |
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