Strategies for Getting Out of the “Pit”

Ideas from the EFS Leading During Change Sessions
June–July 2007

Getting Yourself Out of the “Pit”

• Acknowledge and recognize when you are in the “pit.” Become self-aware of how you are feeling and where you are in the change process.
• Stay positive
• Focus on the benefits of the change
• Get involved in the change
• Celebrate small successes and accomplishments
• Give yourself a break and don’t be so hard on yourself
• Know that things will get better. “This too shall pass.”
• Ask yourself: “What’s the worst that can happen?”
• Seek out help

Helping Others Out of the “Pit”

• Listen to others who are in the pit. Let them tell their stories and vent if they need to. Don’t offer advice unless asked.
• Acknowledge others’ frustrations and show understanding and empathy
• Help others become aware of where they are in the change process. Use the Mountain Model to help “normalize” being in the pit.
• Address rumors immediately
• Ask others what their concerns are
• Acknowledge and celebrate small successes and positive behaviors
• Ask others: “What’s the worst that can happen?”
• Encourage and empower others to get involved. Delegate work to them in order to get them engaged in the process
• Share applicable information with others as you get it—keep others informed
• Encourage others to utilize support resources (EAP, OHR, healthcare provider, family, friends, etc.)
• Never be critical of where others are at or how they are feeling
• Offer assistance to others
• Be patient
• Understand that people process and learn differently and at different speeds
• Offer encouragement
• Show support as a team
• Have others create a pros-and-cons list of the situation
• Take a break and have a rule to not talk about EFS for a certain period of time
• Invite others out to lunch or coffee as a little stress reliever
• Validate others’ strengths
• Provide education and skill-development oppportunities
• Help put things in perspective
• Lay out a road map for the change
• Talk about the benefits of the change. Help others see what’s in it for them.
• Help others find options (another job, support services, resources, etc.)
• Supervisors need to know when “pit” behaviors are becoming performance issues and learn to manage them appropriately
• Break the larger change down into smaller pieces so it’s not so overwhelming
• Work alongside others for a while
• Help build staff confidence: “I know you can do it!”