Immunity to Change™
A cognitive-developmental framework that identifies the internal 'immune system' preventing behavioral change. It helps individuals and teams uncover hidden competing commitments and underlying assumptions that stall progress on critical goals.
When you need to shift mindsets, not just teach skills
Your goal is deep change in how participants see themselves or their work, not just surface-level skill building.
Most effective for 'adaptive challenges' where technical solutions have failed, or when there is a persistent gap between a person's stated intentions and their actual behaviors.
Identify a Core Improvement Goal
Inventory Behaviors (Doing/Not Doing)
Uncover Competing Commitments
Identify Big Assumptions
Test and Overturn Assumptions
Creates genuine perspective shifts that change behavior long-term.
Facilitators can integrate this by using the 'ITC Map' as a diagnostic tool in leadership coaching or team-building sessions. It serves as a structured reflection exercise where participants move from identifying a goal to uncovering the psychological barriers preventing its achievement.
- 1Create safe disorienting experiences
- 2Allow time for deep reflection
- 3Support participants through discomfort
- 4Connect insights to action planning
- Leadership development
- Organizational culture change
- Personal professional development
- Overcoming behavioral plateaus
- Adult Developmental Theory
- Competing Commitments
- The Mental Immune System
- Adaptive vs. Technical Change
- Big Assumptions
- Requires a high level of psychological safety within a group
- Demands significant vulnerability and self-reflection from participants
- Focuses on deep-seated beliefs rather than quick-fix skills