Table 1.

Senge’s classification of challenges in organizational change

The Challenges of Initiating:  ➢ Not Enough Time – “We don’t have time for this stuff!”  ➢ No Help (Coaching and Support) – “We have no help!” “We don’t know what we’re doing!”  ➢ Not Relevant – “This stuff isn’t relevant!”  ➢ Walking the Talk – “They’re not walking the talk!”

The Challenges of Sustaining  ➢ Fear and Anxiety – “This stuff is _________.” (Am I safe? Am I adequate? Can I trust others? Can I trust myself?)  ➢ Assessment and Measurement – “This stuff isn’t working!”  ➢ True Believers – “They don’t understand us!” / “We have the right way!” AND  ➢ Non-Believers – “I have no idea what these people are doing!”/ “They are acting like a cult!”

The Challenges of Redesigning and Rethinking  ➢ Governance – “They won’t give up the power!”/ “Who’s in charge of this stuff!”  ➢ Diffusion – “We keep reinventing the wheel!”  ➢ Strategy and Purpose – “Where are we going? What are we here for?”