Boiling the frog

Disciplines > Change Management > Creating change > Boiling the frog

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Method

Make the changes very quietly and slowly without telling anyone, so each small change is hardly noticeable. For example:

Make temporary changes that become long-term.
Slip things in whilst people are distracted elsewhere.
Bury changes in larger items.
Gradually isolate unwanted people and organizations.

Example

A company that wants to reduce the amount of social space in a building nibbles at it during moves, taking small amounts out for needed desk space. It also puts meeting equipment such as tables, flipcharts and network points in what were once just rest areas. Before long, the occasionally-used soft areas are in constant use.

Discussion

There is a story that if you drop a frog into hot water, it will jump out. But if you slowly warm up the water, then the frog will stay there until it boils to death.

People notice change largely through contrast. The larger the perceived contrast, the larger the change is assumed to be. So if you change in a number small moves, you may well be able to slip the whole thing under the wire without being noticed.

There are no guarantees with this method. Vigilant resistors may spot what is happening and mobilize a counter-response. If this happens, you may have to give up the frog method and be more open about the change.