James, Jennifer.  "Windows of Change" (video, 25 minutes, but also available in CD-ROM), available through Enterprise Media, Inc., Phone: (800)-423-6021, web page: www.enterprisemedia.com (free previews).

This video is a superb discussion starter on change: Why do we naturally resist change with fear and denial? How do we as individuals react to and cope with change?

It looks at change as a process and is helpful in understanding underlying motivations that influence one's decision-making, the need to develop new skills to manage change, and solving old problems with new ideas. The basic elements of change are making a transition, adapting to new things, and developing new strategies.

The first section is an introduction and presents some flexibility "tests."

The second section deals with styles of change (Incremental, Exception, Pendulum Swing, Paradigm Shift). Identifying styles allows us to learn to recognize how we manage transition. It also discusses how "paradigm shifts" (the most resilient form of change) help us to integrate change and make it part of our belief systems.

The third section talks about approaches to change/polarity. Some people are more receptive to change than others. There are also four approaches to change (visionary, adaptors, followers, and "boiled frogs"). The key is to develop a wider perspective and have a long term vision.

The fourth section uses the metaphor of a window to explain the basic steps of change:

* The Window

* Exploration

* Integration (followed often by limbo)

* The Tumble

* The Landing (followed by neutral)

* Evaluation

* Sharing Information

The magic is in the attention you give to change. The pain is in the avoidance. Change is a continuous process. There are always new changes coming into your life and there's always something leaving.

The final section is an assignment to realize that change occurs at all levels of our lives, it takes a long time to commit to change, you can take steps to help your employees through change, sensitivity to what is going on around you is key to change.

The core of managing change is learning to become sensitive to the needs and reactions of employees. What creates self-assurance or self-confidence for both ourselves and our employees? How do we turn away from ourselves and constantly strive to be conscious of our environment and of other people and cultures? How do we encourage openness to new ideas to look at what is possible and how we can make our world and life better. We need to take the initiative, create new ambitions, be patient with transition, and be ready to move into the future.

I have found this video to be especially popular for organizational retreats. Her style is very calm, reassuring, and humorous, yet very motivating to action. The video comes with a very good discussion guide and stimulating questions.