Do You Know the 20-50-30 Rule?

Though we may anticipate resistance when a major change program is underway, how much resistance is ‘reasonable’?

If you have a reliable frame of reference, you can put things into perspective.  Knowing what’s considered ‘normal’, will better prepare you for the particular situation you may encounter.  

Let’s look at a typical scenario:

In general, twenty (20%) percent of people (or team members) are ‘change friendly’.  They’re open to change, advocates, and will help drive the program you’re looking to implement.  Another fifty (50%) percent of people/team members are ‘on the fence’.  They assume a so-called practical position, trying to figure out which way to lean. Not necessarily hostile to change, but not assisting in a way that they could. The remaining thirty (30%) percent are change-averse.  They are resistors—those that are antagonistic and preventing any movement forward with change programs.

Resistance is very seductive and difficult to ignore—but this group takes up the most time and energy of anyone else. They’ll provide the least return on all of your investment and time.

Spend your time wooing those that are on the ‘fence’—you have a far better chance of winning them over.  Also—devote the largest amount of attention and time to the 20 percent that are already supportive, these are the stars who will drive the change program.   Often they are taken for granted.

You must be willing to let squeaky wheels squeak. Save your grease for the quieter wheels who are already carrying the load…