Most people go through four distinct stages in the change process. Denial: When people first hear rumors through the grapevine that change is coming, they deny that it will happen at all, or to them. Resistance: Once people get over the initial shock and realize that change is going to be a reality, they resist the change.

Exploration: When the change begins to be implemented, employees explore the change. Commitment: Through exploration, employees determine their level of commitment to making the change a success. Notice that the stages are in a circular formation because change is an ongoing process, not a linear one, and people can regress.