Second-order, revolutionary change represents a profound transformation in the person or institution—a paradigm shift. Because the change is abrupt, the motivation to begin the change and a sense of the direction that the change should take is usually not lost during the course of the change. Levels of stress, however, and resistance to this transformational change will be great. Typically, power and manipulation are required to bring about this type of change. Alternatively, one can adopt a strategy that involves careful movement between first and second order change between evolution and revolution. It is a real challenge to find this strategy of movement between first and second order change. An effective (and appreciative) consultant can be of great value in helping to guide this movement, as we will try to demonstrate throughout this series of essays.
