Emma's Change Story and the TRIP Formula

As a transformation coach at PUETTGEN Consulting, I recently had the opportunity to work with an HR Director and a top executive, Emma. The HR Director was getting frustrated and he expressed his concerns: “Christoph, can you make Emma leave her comfort zone? I’m afraid she’s blocking the transformation that our company needs right now. Change her mindset and make her understand that she needs to leave her comfort zone. I think she needs a push.” He was talking about burning platforms and how he was running out of patience with Emma.

Now, you might be familiar with the Beckhard-Harris Change Equation. It’s a widely used model in change management and it states that change happens when the level of dissatisfaction with the current state is just manipulated high enough. But here’s the thing, that approach can be problematic as it may lead to using fear and manipulation to drive change, rather than engaging and empowering employees.

At PUETTGEN Consulting, we propose a different approach: our TRIP formula. TRIP stands for Transformation = Resources x Intentions x Progress. We believe that a transformation is successful when it builds on existing psychological resources, prioritizes the individual’s intentions, and fosters a sense of progress.

To assist Emma, we first worked with her to make her aware of the transformational competencies she already possessed. We then reconnected her with her individual purpose and personal leadership intentions. Finally, we coached her to transform her department by developing a culture that encouraged her and her team to form the necessary habits to achieve their desired goals. By doing so, Emma was able to improve her team’s performance significantly within months.

Our TRIP formula is an improvement over the Change Equation as it takes a more empowering approach to change and emphasizes the importance of building on existing resources, prioritizing individual intentions, and fostering a sense of progress. It also treats leaders as equals and emphasizes the importance of cooperation and collaboration.

At PUETTGEN Consulting, we prioritize a respectful view of human nature and an agile approach to transformation. Our goal is to empower our clients, like the HR Director and Emma, to overcome their challenges and achieve their goals.

The TRIP formula

The TRIP formula can be a game-changer for driving change in organizations. TRIP stands for Transformation = Resources x Intentions x Progress, and it’s a powerful and holistic approach to change that prioritizes the individual’s psychological resources, intentions, and progress.

Now let’s break down the TRIP formula components:

• Resources: This refers to the individual’s existing psychological resources, such as their skills, knowledge, and personal values. By building on these existing resources, the TRIP formula helps individuals feel empowered and capable of driving change.
• Intentions: This component focuses on the individual’s personal goals and intentions for the change. By aligning the change with the individual’s personal values and purpose, the TRIP formula helps ensure that the change is meaningful and motivating for the individual.
• Progress: The final component of the TRIP formula is fostering a sense of progress. By designing and implementing a culture that encourages individuals to form the necessary habits to achieve their goals, the TRIP formula helps create a sense of momentum and progress that further motivates individuals to step out of their comfort zone and drive change.

I hope this brief overview has been helpful in understanding the TRIP formula and its key components.

PS. I greatly appreciate Till Lassmann’s excellent visualisation and collaboration, and I highly recommend him.