Make all the right moves during anticipated change

Anticipated change, such as the change to routines required with healthcare reform is different than surprise change. Even with anticipated change, the most functional of groups go through a period of dysfunction as they find their way through the uncertainty of change and begin to accept the new reality. This period of uncertainty is often accompanied by anxiety and communication angst displayed through a variety of predictable behaviors or nonverbal responses. This article offers insight and a set of skills that will allow team leaders to maintain a balance between high productivity and high morale during change and the accompanying temporary group dysfunction.